ABQ Amtrak stop nets 45 pounds of fentanyl

Deadly synthetic opioid found in suitcase of man traveling to New York City

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized more than 45 pounds of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl from a man traveling to New York City during an Amtrak train stop in Albuquerque last week.

Alfred Galaviz, 54, of Calexico, Calif., was charged after he was questioned by federal agents who searched his luggage.

Agents opened the suitcase and found 15 “clear plastic, heat-sealed bundles” inside that weighed a total of 20.5 kilograms, or 45.2 pounds.

Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller drug for cancer patients and some people with chronic pain due to degenerative bone diseases. But it is deadly, and 2

milligrams of the drug can lead to a fatal overdose even among regular opioid users.

On the train, Galaviz initially asked a federal agent for help in moving his suitcase. The agent did as he was asked and then watched Galaviz put the black rolling suitcase on a rack in the common luggage area of the train car.

Another agent identified himself as a DEA agent and asked Galaviz some questions, including whether he had any luggage.

According to a criminal complaint, Galaviz claimed to only have a small duffel bag and when questioned, denied the suitcase was his.

Galaviz at first declined to talk to agents and asked for an attorney.

But he apparently changed his mind, according to the complaint.

Galaviz told agents that he knew that the suitcase contained drugs, which he believed to be marijuana.

“Galaviz said he was paid $3,000 to transport and deliver the suitcase to New York,” the complaint said.

After a preliminary hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Yarbrough ordered Galaviz held for trial, which has not been scheduled. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Most of the fentanyl coming into the country enters through the Southwest border, sent by Mexican drug traffickers. They buy it from Chinese manufacturers for $3,000 to $5,000 a kilogram.

New Mexico was once one of the top states for drug overdose deaths, mainly due to heroin use, but dropped out of the top 10 when overdose death rates in other states skyrocketed — fueled by fentanyl-laced heroin and fentanyl pills disguised as prescription pain medications.

Galaviz is being prosecuted as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education Initiative.