Federal authorities say 18 people are charged with participating in a three-state drug ring in the Southwest.
Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Mexico and the Drug Enforcement Administration say the ring allegedly obtained methamphetamine from Arizona and Texas.
They say the drugs were allegedly distributed in Otero and Dona Ana counties in southern New Mexico earlier this year.
The 43-count indictment was issued under seal on Oct. 16. It was unsealed Wednesday following arrests of 12 defendants, including two already in custody in unrelated state charges.
Six of those charged remain at large.
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