The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that an Albuquerque rapper and convicted felon who flaunted guns, gang affiliation, and drug money on social media has been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison for large-scale drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and ongoing criminal activity behind bars. The case underscores the reach of organized drug trafficking networks in New Mexico, as well as the growing role of social media in exposing gang-related activities.

Jerry Bezie, 36, who prosecutors described as an “unapologetic drug trafficker and gang affiliate,” was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Bezie’s sentence also included the forfeiture of more than $64,000 in drug proceeds, several vehicles, weapons, and property tied to his criminal enterprise.

Bezie first drew the attention of federal authorities when the FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force began monitoring his online activity. According to the DOJ, he openly posted images and videos displaying large quantities of cash, firearms, and references to his gang ties. Rather than concealing his criminal activity, Bezie seemed to promote it, presenting himself as a rapper whose music and persona glorified the drug trade and gang life.

His online bravado led investigators to dig deeper, eventually revealing that Bezie was a major supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Albuquerque. Both substances have wreaked havoc across New Mexico, with fentanyl-related overdoses skyrocketing in recent years.

On March 23, 2023, FBI SWAT executed a search warrant at Bezie’s residence in Albuquerque’s South Valley. The search turned up an arsenal of evidence:

• More than seven kilograms of methamphetamine
• Over 100,000 fentanyl pills
• $64,000 in cash
• Multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition
• Body armor and ballistic vests

Agents also seized luxury items linked to Bezie’s operations, including a 2018 Polaris Slingshot motorcycle, a 2018 CanAm ATV, two trailers, jewelry, a gold-colored money counter, and seven cell phones believed to be used for coordinating drug deals.

The amount of fentanyl recovered was particularly alarming. Federal prosecutors noted that the pills alone represented a catastrophic public safety threat, as fentanyl remains the leading driver of overdose deaths nationwide. Just two milligrams of the synthetic opioid can be fatal, meaning the 100,000 pills seized could have potentially fueled tens of thousands of overdoses.

Even after his arrest, Bezie continued his pattern of criminal behavior. While being held at the Cibola County Correctional Center, he allegedly remained active in drug trafficking networks. Investigators say he smuggled contraband into the facility and even orchestrated drug distribution while in custody. His involvement extended to violent acts as well-prosecutors said he participated in an assault on a correctional officer during his detention.

This ongoing conduct reinforced the government’s case that Bezie posed a serious threat to the community and was unwilling to disengage from criminal enterprises, even while facing federal prosecution.

Bezie ultimately pled guilty to multiple serious charges:

• Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
• Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking
• Being a felon in possession of a firearm

Given his criminal history, prosecutors argued for a severe sentence. They emphasized that Bezie not only endangered the community by pushing large quantities of deadly drugs but also escalated the danger by mixing firearms and violence into his operations.

The federal court agreed, sentencing him to 20 years-one of the lengthier drug trafficking sentences handed down in New Mexico in recent years.

Investigators also linked Bezie to another drug trafficker, Julian Leyba, who they believe partnered with him to supply fentanyl distributed along Albuquerque’s Central Avenue corridor. Central Avenue, part of the historic Route 66, has long been identified as a hotspot for open-air drug dealing and gang-related crime.

Leyba, now serving a nearly six-year sentence, pled guilty to his role in the operation. Authorities believe the duo’s fentanyl distribution played a significant role in fueling overdoses and addiction along the busy stretch of Central Avenue, which runs through the heart of Albuquerque.

In addition to the 240-month prison term, the court ordered Bezie to forfeit a wide array of assets believed to be derived from or used in his trafficking operations. This included his Albuquerque home, vehicles, firearms, ballistic vests, and cash. Prosecutors stressed that stripping him of these assets was crucial to dismantling his criminal enterprise and sending a clear message to others engaged in similar activities.

When Bezie completes his prison sentence, he will be subject to five years of supervised release, during which time he will be monitored closely for any further violations.

Federal officials have highlighted the case as a reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking in New Mexico. The state has been particularly hard-hit by the opioid epidemic, with fentanyl now eclipsing heroin as the most deadly drug in circulation. Gang activity and the blending of rap culture with drug trafficking have also created complex challenges for law enforcement.

“Cases like this demonstrate the devastating impact of drug trafficking networks on our communities,” a DOJ spokesperson said. “When individuals like Bezie openly flaunt their crimes and continue trafficking even behind bars, it underscores the urgency of aggressive law enforcement action.”

For Albuquerque residents, the sentencing of Jerry Bezie represents both a significant law enforcement victory and a sobering reminder of the drug crisis plaguing their city. While Bezie will spend the next two decades behind bars, the fight against fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking continues, as law enforcement agencies confront evolving networks determined to profit off addiction and despair.

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