Otero County Sheriff’s Office Reports Busy January 2026: Over 1,700 Calls for Service, Major Narcotics Seizures Highlight Proactive Enforcement Amid Push for Transparency in Election Year

The Otero County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) released its January 2026 activity snapshot this week, revealing a high volume of calls for service, arrests, and investigative work as deputies patrolled the vast rural expanse of southern New Mexico. With 1,728 total calls — many concentrated in Chaparral and Alamogordo — the report underscores the department’s ongoing commitment to public safety amid challenges like narcotics trafficking and animal control issues.

Overall, OCSO deputies handled 224 investigative reports, conducted 51 traffic and crash investigations, made 54 arrests, issued 78 traffic citations, and served 353 court subpoenas. “The Otero County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to professional service, proactive enforcement, and protecting the communities we serve across Otero County,” the department stated in its release. “Thank you for your continued support.”

By patrol area, Chaparral saw the highest activity with 487 calls for service, followed by Alamogordo at 359, Cloudcroft with 59, and Tularosa at 44.

In Chaparral — a rapidly growing unincorporated community near the Texas border — deputies managed an additional 64 reports and 11 arrests, while responding to a notable 105 animal-related calls, reflecting ongoing issues with stray animals and livestock in the area.

The Narcotics Division was particularly active, executing 13 search warrants that led to 33 arrests, including 27 fugitives. Agents seized 6 firearms and 10 vehicles during operations. A key focus was removing illegal narcotics from the streets, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, Suboxone, morphine, and other dangerous substances with an estimated street value of $8,341. These efforts align with statewide initiatives to combat the opioid crisis and drug trafficking routes through Otero County.

This report represents a new approach to more transparency by the sheriff’s department as a result of distrust in the Otero community with the handling of the Elijah Hadley murder case that is proceeding in both criminal and civil courts.

Adding to distrust and questioning of ethics was the breakup with the city of Alamogordo of the joint dispatch authority which was established under a joint power agreement that faltered under the sheriff’s leadership and Otero County commissioner political gamesmanship.

The Hadley case stems from the June 2024 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Elijah Hadley, a Mescalero Apache Tribe member, by then-Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin during a welfare check on U.S. Highway 70. Diaz-Austin, who fired 19 shots after Hadley tossed away a realistic-looking airsoft gun, faces first-degree murder charges with a trial delayed to August 2026. The civil wrongful-death lawsuit, filed in June 2025, seeks damages potentially exceeding $5-10 million, amplifying calls for accountability and reform.

Similarly, the 2025 dissolution of the Tularosa Basin Regional Dispatch Authority — formed in 2021 under a joint powers agreement — followed Alamogordo’s 4-3 vote to withdraw amid allegations of operational deficiencies, governance disputes, canceled oversight meetings, and safety concerns, resulting in over $2 million in lost revenues for the county and ongoing efforts to rebuild the service.

The report comes as OCSO continues to navigate budget constraints and staffing challenges common to rural law enforcement agencies.

Civilian activists in Alamogordo and Chaparral have expressed appreciation for the department’s recent transparency efforts, with the monthly snapshots providing valuable insights into local crime trends and resource allocation.

Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity through the OCSO non-emergency line at 575-443-2960 or via anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 575-437-2000. For the full January 2026 snapshot, visit the Otero County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or official website.

More News from Alamogordo

• Alameda Park Zoo in Alamogordo Expands Exhibits with New Camels, Sloths, and Infrastructure Upgrades; Gears Up for Massive Earth Day Weekend in April 2026 Enhancements at Alameda Park Zoo, new animals, enhancements and hours...
• City of Alamogordo to Install HAWK Pedestrian Safety System on 10th Street; Expect Lane Closures March 2-4 Traffic advisory....