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Two narcotics officers, one in a black mask revealing only his eyes and mouth, while the other spoke on his phone, seized marijuana from an infant’s stroller on the corner of Cornell Drive and Central Avenue on Tuesday.
An officer arrived at the scene after APD Eastside Narcotics Unit caught Joel Reano, 28, Jacob Antone, 25, and Calandra Thompson, 21, after they sold marijuana to an undercover detective pretending to buy weed.
“After numerous complaints of drug trafficking in the University area, the Eastside Narcotics Unit conducted an undercover operation in the area,” APD Public Information Officer Tasia Martinez said.
According to Martinez, the dealers had marijuana hidden in the stroller of Antone’s 7-month-old daughter.
At about 1 p.m., police were able to corner Reano, Antone and Thompson right after the setup. An hour later, police came to take care of the baby.
The three suspects were arrested and charged with child abuse, conspiracy and distribution of marijuana. APD refused to identify the amount of marijuana hidden in the stroller or its value.
Martinez said that in the state of New Mexico, possession of at least 8 ounces of marijuana is a felony. Distribution of marijuana of any amount also counts as a felony, and offenders who sell in a posted drug-free school zone are subject to higher penalties.
