84-Year-Old New Mexico Woman Indicted For Drug Trafficking

Albuquerque, NM – An 84-year-old woman has been indicted for drug trafficking, tampering with evidence, and possession. Drug trafficking is an illicit trade which involves cultivating, manufacturing, and distributing substances which are subject to prohibition laws.

The frail looking Lillie Smith of Albuquerque, with her oxygen tank, is facing serious charges, levied against her by the Bernalillo County grand jury.

Court documents show the charges stem from a warrant served at her apartment in 2011, where both Smith and her son, Nathan Jones, were later arrested in connection to cocaine and marijuana found on the premises. During the search, investigators found scales, money, narcotics and other items believed to be connected to trafficking.

Authorities think the woman’s son was the one running the small drug operation out of the home, but Smith tried to stash evidence during the investigation.

Neighbors reported that woman was permissible to a fault, allowing her son to dispense drugs from the residence, but did it because she wanted someone around to take care of her. Still, the district attorney’s office filed charges and a grand jury returned the indictment earlier this year. Smith was bonded and released following her arrest in April.

Smith has a prior record, as she pled guilty to similar charges in the 90s. She will be due back in court in July. Apparently you can never be too old to commit a crime as Smith beat out a 75-year-old New Jersey man who was arrested and charged with running a senior prostitution ring and possessing drug paraphernalia.

The US Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), drug market analysis of 2011 (the most recent available), New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area reports that methamphetamine is the foremost drug threat to the region, followed by the increased availability of heroin. Due to the threat trafficking cocaine, marijuana, meth, and heroin poses against law enforcement and collaterally to the general population – as violence follows the practice – these cases are aggressively pursued.

Drug trafficking in certain areas such as school zones, parks, daycare centers, or using a minor in the transactions have harsher criminal penalties – but a standard conviction can lead to several years of imprisonment, probation, and fines.

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