An Artesia man was arrested on trafficking charges and a female passenger for outstanding warrants during a traffic stop Wednesday by the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force (PVDTF).
PVDTF agents contacted Michael B. Olivas of Artesia during a traffic stop that resulted after agents spotted him driving in the Atoka area. Olivas had an active arrest warrant based on a prior investigation conducted by PVDTF agents that concluded Olivas was trafficking methamphetamine and in possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
During the traffic stop, agents were able to locate trafficking amounts of methamphetamine, a scale, currency, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded firearm. The firearm was reported stolen out of Artesia. The contraband was located both on Olivas’ person and in the vehicle he was driving.
A female passenger identified as Rebekah Lozada-Garcia was also 
contacted and arrested on two unrelated arrest warrants involving shoplifting, criminal trespassing, and vehicular traffic infractions. Both Olivas and Lozada-Garcia were transported to the Eddy County Detention Center.
Olivas will face new, additional charges resulting from the traffic stop and arrest, which will include trafficking methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the PVDTF, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff Mark Cage), the Carlsbad Police Department (Chief Shane Skinner), and the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office (District Attorney Dianna Luce). The PVDTF is part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.
Anyone wishing to report drug activity can contact the PVDTF at 575-887-5194 or report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Eddy County online or at 575-887-1888.
