ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), published as received.

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – John Seibel, 25, Robert Pettit, 51, and Barbara Dockery, 64, all of Albuquerque, appeared in federal court today for their parts in a drug trafficking organization run by Seibel (the Seibel DTO). Detention hearings for each defendant are scheduled for June 21.

            On June 9, a federal grand jury indicted Seibel and Pettit on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of distribution of 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and four counts of distribution of 40 grams and more of fentanyl.

            Dockery is charged in a criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.

            The defendants were arrested on June 15 in a joint law enforcement operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). A DEA Task Force executed warrants at five locations in Albuquerque, including the residences of Seibel, Pettit, and Dockery. In Dockery’s residence, law enforcement located approximately 3,838.3 gross grams of fentanyl and 924.2 gross grams of methamphetamine allegedly belonging to the Seibel DTO.

            The indictment alleges that from March 26 to June 9, Seibel, Pettit and others conspired to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. According to court records, Seibel, assisted by his co-conspirators included Pettit and Dockery, allegedly sold “blues,” which are counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as fentanyl pills manufactured in Albuquerque using a pill press machine.

             “For some time we’ve known the damage methamphetamine trafficking has caused to our communities, and we are now seeing the devastation caused by counterfeit fentanyl pills, which sadly includes overdose deaths,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Fred J. Federici. “Prosecution of those who manufacture and distribute these illicit and dangerous narcotics is and must remain a top priority for the District of New Mexico.”

              “The drug trafficking organizations that produce and distribute these potentially-lethal counterfeit pills containing fentanyl care only about one thing: maximizing profits,” said Kyle W. Williamson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “DEA will continue to disrupt and dismantle these DTOs to break the wave of fentanyl flooding and endangering our communities.”

            Indictments and complaints are only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Seibel, Pettit and Dockery face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

           Among the agencies that participated in the investigation were the DEA Albuquerque District Office, DEA El Paso Division, DEA El Paso Division SRT, DEA Las Cruces District Office, DEA St. Louis Division, DEA South Central Laboratory, DEA Aviation, FBI Albuquerque Field Office, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department, Pueblo of Laguna Police Department, Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department, Valencia County Sheriff’s Office, Rio Rancho Police Department, Torrance County Sheriff’s Office, Belen Police Department and Albuquerque Fire & Rescue.

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting this case.