The Narco Blog

Meth Deals Arranged From Inside a Juárez Prison: American Inmate, 34, Among 5 Charged in Las Cruces–Area Ring, Across From El Paso — One Delivery Allegedly Made by a 16-Year-Old

By The Narco Blog · October 15, 2026 · Updated October 15, 2026

Felix Anthony Salazar III, face blurred, in a blue shirt with hands cuffed in front, standing among HSI, Metro Narcotics, FBI and CBP officers before U.S. and Homeland Security flags — Felix Anthony Salazar III (face blurred by authorities) with HSI, Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics, FBI and CBP officers after he surrendered on Oct. 11, 2026. Photo: U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico, via KVIA.

An American citizen serving time in a prison in Ciudad Juárez, across from El Paso, allegedly set up methamphetamine and fentanyl deals with undercover agents in southern New Mexico, and one delivery was handed over by a 16-year-old. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico said Oct. 15, 2026, that it had charged five people in the case. Felix Anthony Salazar III, 34, the man prosecutors say coordinated the deals, crossed the border and surrendered on the night of Sunday, Oct. 11.

At night, an HSI agent and an FBI agent walk a man in a blue shirt along a fenced sidewalk — HSI and FBI agents escort Salazar after he crossed from Mexico and surrendered on the night of Oct. 11, 2026, according to the Justice Department. Photo: U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico, via KVIA.

Three deals in Anthony, Sunland Park and Las Cruces

According to the Justice Department’s release, the FBI, Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics and Homeland Security Investigations began investigating in mid-2025 an organization allegedly moving meth and fentanyl from Juárez into southern New Mexico. KFOX14 reported that court documents say Salazar arranged the sales over WhatsApp.

Sept. 5, 2025, Anthony, N.M.: about a kilogram of meth for $3,800. Prosecutors say Yadira Lizett Cano, 28, of El Paso, drove to the meeting with a 16-year-old passenger, who handed over the drugs and took the money. A lab found about 973 grams of pure meth.
Sept. 17, 2025, Sunland Park: about half a kilo for $1,800, allegedly delivered by Moses Andrew Gonzales, 36, who arrived with Martha Janeth Grijalva Fierro, 36, both of El Paso. Investigators say her communications with Salazar tie her to the deal.
Oct. 24, 2025, Las Cruces: Suleima Eidali Miranda, 31, allegedly directed the agent to a home and handed over meth and fentanyl pills for $2,000. The DOJ puts the lab results at about 984 grams of pure meth and 251 grams of fentanyl; KFOX14 reported 940 grams of meth.

The charges

All five are charged with conspiracy to distribute meth. Cano is also charged with using a juvenile in a drug operation, and Salazar and Miranda with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. All five are in federal custody, the DOJ said. Its release does not say why Salazar was imprisoned in Mexico, which prison held him or why he crossed. It also does not tie the group to any cartel. KFOX14 called him a Las Cruces man. A criminal complaint is only an allegation, and all five are presumed innocent.

For more on crime and safety on this stretch of the border, see our Juárez–El Paso guide.

Sources

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico: “Five Federally Charged Following Multiagency Investigation into Drug Trafficking Operation Run from Mexican Prison…” (Oct. 15, 2026)
KFOX14/CBS4: “DOJ: Five charged in Borderland drug ring allegedly run by American man in Juarez prison” (Oct. 15, 2026)
KVIA (Gabrielle Lopez): “American citizen federally charged for allegedly coordinating drug deals from Juarez prison” (Oct. 15, 2026)
Photos: U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico (public domain), via KVIA.

Reported Oct. 15, 2026, from the Justice Department’s release and KFOX14 and KVIA coverage. No statement from the defendants’ lawyers was found, and no court has ruled on the allegations.