Police Release May Stats for ‘Not in Vain’

Operation Not in Vain 2025 continues to flourish with 58 felony arrests, 59 misdemeanor arrests and the seizure of nearly 55 grams of methamphetamine in its first two months.

The operation is a months-long crime reduction project in memory of fallen Las Cruces Police Department Officer Jonah Hernandez who was killed in the line of duty Feb. 11, 2024.

Through May law enforcement personnel working the operation have made 500 traffic stops resulting in 128 citations, recovered eight stolen firearms, located four stolen vehicles, seized narcotics in four separate searches, issued 28 trespass warnings and have executed eight search or arrest warrants.

The operation so far has also recorded 384 consensual contacts with citizens, 61 contact with businesses and it has generated 72 incident reports.

Besides the 54.5 grams of methamphetamine seized, law enforcement working the project have seized 32.6 grams of fentanyl and two grams of cocaine.

The operation is utilizing law enforcement personnel and resources from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State University Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office along with several federal agencies.

Operation Not in Vain 2025 began April 28 and is anticipated to run through August 2025.