Bernalillo police charge five people for fentanyl trafficking

BERNALILLO — Five people have been charged with drug trafficking in Bernalillo.

Laura Whittenberger, 42, of Rio Rancho; Joshua Baca, 35, of Algodones; Dustin McKenzie, 24, of Placitas; Michael Archibeque, 27, of Algodones; and Ursula Smith-Bowers, 29, of Placitas, were arrested Jan. 18.

When police stopped the car the suspects were in for a suspended registration, they discovered Whittenberger was on probations and Archibeque, Smith-Bowers and Baca had warrants for arrest.

Heroin needles were found in Archibeque’s pocket during a pat down. McKenzie admitted to using fentanyl and methamphetamine. Drugs and weapons were found on Baca and McKenzie when they were searched by corrections. Additionally, three bags were found IN a body cavity on McKenzie, which was identified as multiple grams of heroin.

The car the suspects were in was towed as Whittenberger, the owner, did not consent to a vehicle search at the scene. When searched, officers found multiple heroin needles, a meth pipe, a scale, bongs, burnt foil with fentanyl residue and two bags. One bag contained 95 fentanyl pills, clear plastic bags, a straw, a gun, a bong, a bullet and $833. The other bag contained a bong, credit and gift cards, a wallet and five clear plastic bags.

Each of the defendents could face nine years in jail for trafficking.