
Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Mexico and the Drug Enforcement Administration said the ring allegedly obtained methamphetamine from Arizona and Texas.
They said the drugs were allegedly distributed in Otero and Dona Ana counties in southern New Mexico earlier this year.
The 43-count indictment was issued under seal on Oct. 16. It was unsealed Wednesday following arrests of 12 defendants, including two already in custody on unrelated state charges.
Six of those charged remain at large.
The Deming man, 40-year-old Cornelio Barrera, was arrested Tuesday in Duncan, Arizona. He’s been charged with four counts involving trafficking in meth and conspiracy.
Barrera will be transferred to New Mexico to face the federal charges in the indictment.