This year Albuquerque, New Mexico has been attracting national attention for all the wrong reasons. In early April the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department conducted a major drug bust inside the city BCSO: 26,000 fentanyl pills seized during arrest - KOB.com. Soon after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency seized 2.7 million fentanyl pills as part of the largest drug bust in American history DEA Seizes Record-Setting Number of Fentanyl Pills in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Between the two drug busts, Country Adventures identified Albuquerque as a major crime haven https://www.countryadventures.net/the-12-most-dangerous-u-s-cities-where-locals-wont-go-after-dark/ .
This never-ending story of massive crime and corruption began in 2018 when then-newly-elected Mayor Tim Keller officially declared Albuquerque to be an “Immigrant Friendly Community” Keller Signs Sanctuary City Resolution. The “Immigrant Friendly Community” declaration is Keller’s feeble attempt to avoid federal accountability and potential loss of federal funding. This is not working and a lot of federal funding is at risk. As identified in KOAT 7 television news report Is Albuquerque a sanctuary city? Trump’s executive order raises questions Keller’s actions are risking $26 million for two airports, $11 million for housing programs, $8 million for public transit, and $6 million for the city’s police department.
Keller’s failed policies have a direct impact throughout the United States. The 2.7 million fentanyl pills seized by the DEA wasn’t just for New Mexico consumption. Interstate 25 commences its run just miles from the Mexican border and is the main north/south transportation route through New Mexico, Colorado, and into Wyoming. Interstate 25 connects with east/west bound Interstates 40 in Albuquerque, 70 in Denver, and 80 in Cheyenne. There is not a region in the United States safe from Keller initiatives that has allowed Albuquerque to become one of America’s central distribution hubs for drug traffic.
Keller has forbidden city employees from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers are prohibited from asking anyone about their immigration status. One of Keller’s extreme policies is for APD to notify neighborhoods where ICE operations are being conducted. Drug transporters know once inside Albuquerque they are in a semi-protected environment. Seizure of those 2.7 million fentanyl pills caused only a pause in Albuquerque’s role in illegal drug distribution.
Albuquerque’s crime problem gets worse. Quoting Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) latest statistics, the American Thinker has identified Albuquerque as one of most high risk communities in the United States The most dangerous city in the most dangerous state - American Thinker. Finalized in September of 2024, covering the year 2023, the numbers are appalling: with a population 560,274, 104 murders were committed – over three times the national average based on population; 7,406 violent crimes – just under four times the average; 26,788 property crimes – well over twice the average; and 5,837 vehicle thefts – well over three times. Also concerning is APD’s own report Violence against the homeless, domestic violence on the rise: Albuquerque police release 2024 homicide statistics.
Keller is now seeking a consecutive third term as mayor. Both of his two top campaign strategies are failing. In his constant attacks against President Trump, Keller fails to realize that Trump is not running for Albuquerque mayor. Keller’s second strategy is claiming crime is going down in the city. Instead, as evidenced when the Major Cities Chiefs Association released its Violent Crime Survey, as reported by the New Mexico Sun Under Keller, a 71% Homicide Surge Turns Albuquerque Into One of America's Most Violent Cities | New Mexico Sun. The Major Chiefs Data does reflect a 10% drop in violent crime between 2023 and 2024. A washback of a single wave doesn’t mean the tide is turning. That same Major Chiefs report states the murder rate has soared 210 percent since 2014.
Despite Keller’s claims, Governor Lujan Grisham acknowledged Albuquerque is “experiencing a significant increase in crime” and recognized the need to send in the New Mexico National Guard to serve in a law enforcement support role https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-mexico-governor-mobilizes-national-guard-to-tackle-crime-emergency-in-albuquerque/ar-AA1Cyi0Q .
In 2017, then-mayoral candidate Keller ran on a platform of making Albuquerque a “nice city.” Since his initial and re-election victory in 2021, nearly eight years have passed and among law-abiding Albuquerque citizens the overwhelming question is, “Nicer for who?”
Albuquerque has become America’s modern version of the Wild West. Its crime problem has resulted in former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White coming out of law enforcement retirement to run for mayor. Also, having served as Director of New Mexico Public Safety (including supervising state police), Sheriff White understands all levels of law enforcement – from domestic disputes and misdemeanor traffic stops to homicides and stopping international drug trafficking. His experience ranges from working with patrol officers to FBI directors. The situation has become so dire that this intensity of experience and dedication is what it will now take to repair the past seven+ years of law enforcement deterioration.
Ultimately, Albuquerque voters must decide their future. They have three choices: accept continuing anarchy and growing crime, vote in law and order, or move to where mayoral policies protect the entire community and the city doesn’t serve as an illegal drug distribution center.