CRIME

Aztec man accused of trafficking heroin following narcotic task force probe

Bags of narcotics found in defendant's waistband

Farmington Daily Times

Dathan Mobley is accused of trafficking controlled substances and distribution of marijuana.
The defendant did not have legal representation on Dec. 2.
He is incarcerated at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center on a $10,000 cash at 10 percent bond.

FARMINGTON — An Aztec man is accused of trafficking heroin and distributing marijuana following an investigation by the local narcotics task force, which set up a narcotics purchase using Facebook.

Dathan Mobley, 39, is accused of a second-degree felony count of trafficking controlled substances and a third-degree felony count of distribution of marijuana, according to court records.

The defendant did not have legal representation on Dec. 2.

The investigation was handled by the Region II Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of officers and investigators from the Aztec, Bloomfield and Farmington police departments along with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.

A narcotics task force agent learned on the afternoon of Dec. 19, 2017, that Mobley had an active arrest warrant.

Mobley had been under investigation by the task force as agents believed the defendant may have been involved in trafficking narcotics.

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An agent previously set up a fake Facebook account, which was a Facebook "friend" with Mobley's account.

Using the social media account, the agent organized a purchase of heroin and marijuana from Mobley on Dec. 19, 2017, according to court documents.

Agents conducted surveillance on Mobley's last known address on North Light Plant Road in Aztec.

A van parked in front of the residence was registered to the defendant.

Mobley allegedly told the agent to meet at a gas station in Aztec for the purchase. While Mobley was enroute to the gas station, a traffic stop was conducted on the van.

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The defendant was told about the fake Facebook account and that he was speaking to a narcotics task force agent the whole time.

Two small plastic bags were found in the waistband of Mobley's pants. The substances tested presumptive positive for the presence of marijuana and heroin.

Mobley has four felony narcotic convictions, according to court records.

He is incarcerated at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center on a $10,000 cash at 10 percent bond.

His preliminary hearing is set for the morning of Dec. 4 in Farmington Magistrate Court.

Joshua Kellogg covers breaking news for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627 or via email at jkellogg@daily-times.com.

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