Hobbs Man Wanted in $110K Fentanyl Case Captured After Wild Rooftop Chase

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office reported on Tuesday the apprehension of 38-year-old Jose Marquez from Hobbs, New Mexico. Marquez attempted to evade capture on Saturday by crawling through the roof space of an apartment complex, but ultimately fell through a neighbor’s ceiling.

In a significant development in a federal narcotics investigation, Marquez, identified as a suspect, reportedly attempted to evade law enforcement by accessing the roof space of the Hobbs Apartments and subsequently crawling onto a neighboring apartment. A press release indicates that he fell through the ceiling into an adjacent unit before escaping on foot. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement officers took him into custody.

Officials have confirmed that Marquez is sought on multiple federal warrants. These include a charge from the DEA for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, as well as a warrant from the U.S. Marshals for breaching the terms of supervised release.

Authorities have announced charges related to a drug trafficking investigation that took place on November 9, 2024. The Lea County Drug Task Force, in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant on a vehicle, resulting in the seizure of approximately 11,000 blue pills believed to contain fentanyl. The narcotics in question have an estimated street value of $110,000.

In the ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of Marquez, authorities discovered that 57-year-old Rose Mojica from Hobbs had been aiding him in evading capture. Mojica was taken into custody on Monday and faces charges for allegedly harboring a fugitive.

Authorities have taken both individuals into custody as federal and local agencies intensify their efforts to dismantle fentanyl trafficking networks in Lea County.

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