Reports of drug sales, poaching result in arrest

By Mike Marino
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Thanks to a CrimeStopper tip, the Cibola County Sheriff and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish were made aware of a person who was reportedly selling of drugs and possibly poaching in the Fence Lake area.

The Game and Fish Department responded, requesting the assistance of the Cibola County Sheriffs department to investigate the allegations.

Lt. Harry Hall of the sheriffs department said, "I accompanied game warden Mark Dundren of Fish and Game. Together we went to the location to investigate and talk with the suspect at the location who was identified as Buddy Jaggerz who was not present when we arrived."

Lt. Hull and Dundren did notice a building with an open door on the property and inside they could see elk and deer meat hanging in plain view. Heads from large game were lying around the property, including three skulls with no tags, along with an assortment of elk hides.

It was then determined that a search warrant was necessary to proceed with the investigation further so they waited around until the Game and Fish department could secure one. Lt. Hall learned that Jaggerz worked not too far away from the property; so he proceeded to go to his workplace and make contact with him to question him regarding the allegations.

When Hall arrived, Jaggerz was wearing a loaded 9mm Ruger in his holster on his right hip. Jaggerz also pulled out a marijuana pipe from his pocket and admitted to smoking marijuana. He was arrested on the spot.

In New Mexico, it is against the law to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is called negligent possession of a firearm. Jaggerz was cooperative at this point and gave the authorities permission to search the premise, where they found three bongs, 18 grams of marijuana, three rifles, three pistols, three pipes and a spoon.

He was arrested on March 8 on a variety of charges including possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jaggerz bonded out the next day and was released.