Santa Fe County confirms that a stash of narcotics was found at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility "in unsecure locations in jail administrative offices."---
The narcotics had not been reported to law enforcement or properly documented as to how they entered the facility, and were stored for up to several years, according to County spokeswoman Kristine Mihelcic.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Robert Garcia tells SFR that he has not yet received an official report on the finding, but expects to have one as soon as Thursday, May 3. Garcia says he believes the county is doing its internal review of the situation at this point.
"We can look into the matter and see if criminal investigation is required or not," Garcia says. "We have to see what they found, who they found them on—inmates, as an example—so we have to look at what their findings are, as far as the report."
The Sheriff's office doesn't have direct oversight of the jail's operations, but this is the first time Garcia can remember something like this being brought to his attention, he says.
Although the County has not confirmed a connection, the discovery immediately follows yesterday's firing of SFCADF Warden David Trujillo, as well as Assistant Warden Ted Peperas. Filling in as warden is new hire Mark Gallegos, who was brought on as the jail's investigator. New County Director of Public Safety, Pablo Sedillo, hired Gallegos about a month ago. Also recently terminated from the jail was former Jail Administrator Annabelle Romero, who was ousted in February.
