A federal grand jury in Albuquerque has indicted five individuals Micah Maestas, Dominic Ramirez, Daniel Garcia, and Jesus and Oscar Salmeron for trafficking firearms through social media platforms like Instagram and Telegram. The indictment reveals that the suspects advertised and sold firearms, including machinegun handgun converters, over several months in 2024. They are also accused of dealing cocaine.
The undercover operation, led by the Albuquerque Police Department APD and federal agents, resulted in the confiscation of 11 firearms, 100 grams of cocaine, and approximately $8,000. Some firearms linked to violent incidents in Texas were recovered. The indictment highlights the increasing use of social media for illicit sales and the importance of undercover operations to combat such activities. The suspects, with warrants out for their arrest, have ties to local gangs.