Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico on August 12, 2024. His address highlighted ongoing efforts to combat violent crime and drug trafficking, particularly in Tribal communities.
Garland began by acknowledging a visit with Department of the Interior Secretary Haaland to the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Unit dedicated to addressing Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons. "We were briefed by experts from the Unit and prosecutors from this office who work every day to make Indian Country safer," he said.
He also mentioned a meeting with Tribal Leaders from the Eight Northern Pueblos of New Mexico, emphasizing the Justice Department's commitment since 2021, which has included $12.9 million in support for Tribal justice initiatives.
Garland praised law enforcement officers across New Mexico for their sacrifices and underscored the importance of collaboration in combating violent crime. "When I became Attorney General three and a half years ago, I knew that the most powerful tool we would have to address violent crime would be our partnerships," he stated.
He noted a decrease in homicides and robberies in Albuquerque in 2023 compared to 2022, attributing these improvements to strengthened partnerships and advanced technologies. However, he acknowledged that progress remains uneven and stressed that any level of violent crime is unacceptable.
Garland highlighted recent successful prosecutions by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico, including cases involving unlawful firearm possession and domestic violence. He cited a case where a felon was sentenced to 15 years for shooting a woman at Walmart and another where an individual received six years for threatening his wife with firearms despite being under a court protection order.
The Attorney General also addressed efforts against fentanyl trafficking, describing joint operations resulting in significant indictments and sentences. He mentioned cases involving large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, emphasizing the devastating impact of fentanyl on families nationwide.
"The examples I have shared with you are just a snapshot of the work this office does every day," Garland concluded, expressing pride in the U.S. Attorney's Office's efforts to uphold safety, civil rights, and the rule of law.
With those remarks, Garland initiated further discussions with gathered law enforcement partners.