A man from Bloomfield, New Mexico, has been charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses following an investigation into alleged fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution in San Juan County.
Court documents indicate that the Region II Narcotics Task Force began investigating Joseph Stevens, 41, in early 2025 for suspected drug trafficking activities involving the transportation of drugs from Albuquerque and Phoenix. On September 24, deputies from the San Juan Sheriff’s Office conducted a high-risk felony traffic stop on Stevens based on an arrest warrant issued the previous day. Stevens was detained at the scene while a K9 officer from the Farmington Police Department performed a scent check of his vehicle. The police dog alerted to possible controlled substances, leading authorities to impound the vehicle.
Later that day, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Stevens’ vehicle. They seized 19 firearms—two of which had been reported stolen—as well as 329.89 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, 10.89 grams of suspected fentanyl powder, 59.34 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and various items of drug paraphernalia.
Stevens faces charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He will remain in custody pending trial; no trial date has been set. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 45 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, joined Ellison in announcing the charges.
The case was investigated by the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with support from both the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and Farmington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting.
The Region II Narcotics Enforcement Task Force operates as a multi-agency group focused on investigating violations related to controlled substances within New Mexico.
