New Mexico Authorities Find Fentanyl And Meth In Election Mail
1 hour ago
SANDOVAL COUNTY, N.M. — Fentanyl and methamphetamine were discovered in election mail at Sandoval County’s election warehouse last Friday, prompting an emergency response and raising concerns about worker safety.
Two K-9 units alerted officials to potentially dangerous substances in the mail, and initial testing confirmed the presence of both drugs, according to county officials.
Chief Deputy Clerk Joey Dominguez said the county’s emergency preparations helped staff respond to the incident. No workers were injured.
Dominguez estimated that about 200 ballots may have been affected, although the exact number has not been confirmed. The ballots remain secured while officials await confirmation that they can be handled safely.
“We want to count every single individual's ballot. And as soon as we get the confirmation it's safe to do so, we plan to do that,” Dominguez said.
The incident has also highlighted safety measures in neighboring Bernalillo County, where election workers are processing thousands of absentee ballots ahead of Election Day.
Nathan Jaramillo, the county’s Bureau of Elections administrator, said the county uses sensors to screen incoming mail for illicit substances before workers handle it.
If the technology detects a potential threat, officials can contact emergency responders and isolate the affected ballots for safe handling, Jaramillo said.
The county also prepares for physical threats, cyberattacks and suspicious election mail. Workers receive training in safe mail-handling procedures and use protective equipment.
Despite the incident in Sandoval County, Jaramillo said Bernalillo County will continue following its existing security protocols.
“At the end of the day, the integrity of ballots is secured. The integrity of the election is secured,” Jaramillo said.
Two K-9 units alerted officials to potentially dangerous substances in the mail, and initial testing confirmed the presence of both drugs, according to county officials.
Chief Deputy Clerk Joey Dominguez said the county’s emergency preparations helped staff respond to the incident. No workers were injured.
Dominguez estimated that about 200 ballots may have been affected, although the exact number has not been confirmed. The ballots remain secured while officials await confirmation that they can be handled safely.
“We want to count every single individual's ballot. And as soon as we get the confirmation it's safe to do so, we plan to do that,” Dominguez said.
The incident has also highlighted safety measures in neighboring Bernalillo County, where election workers are processing thousands of absentee ballots ahead of Election Day.
Nathan Jaramillo, the county’s Bureau of Elections administrator, said the county uses sensors to screen incoming mail for illicit substances before workers handle it.
If the technology detects a potential threat, officials can contact emergency responders and isolate the affected ballots for safe handling, Jaramillo said.
The county also prepares for physical threats, cyberattacks and suspicious election mail. Workers receive training in safe mail-handling procedures and use protective equipment.
Despite the incident in Sandoval County, Jaramillo said Bernalillo County will continue following its existing security protocols.
“At the end of the day, the integrity of ballots is secured. The integrity of the election is secured,” Jaramillo said.
