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‘G’ crew caught, jailed

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Two locals fell victim to a Sept. 14 McKinley County Sheriff’s Office undercover drug operation and remained jailed on trafficking, conspiracy and solicitation charges as of press time.

Shawntel Luján, 21, of Gamerco, and Reyes Castillo, 24, of Gallup, remained behind bars Sept. 20 at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center. Additionally, both Castillo and Luján were wanted by law enforcement on outstanding drug warrants, officials said.

Luján was jailed on a $5,000 cash-only bond, and Castillo’s bond was set at $15,000, according to information provided by jail officials.

Leading up to the bust, MCSO agents conducted methamphetamine buys from Castillo. Although a secondary player, Luján was involved in the buys and is recorded in documents as being a passenger in Castillo’s 1998 Camaro.

Meth is commonly called ‘G’ on Gallup streets.

According to paperwork on the busts, one exchange witnessed by agents involved more than $1,000 handed-off between Castillo and an undercover agent at the west-side Love’s Travel Stop at 3380 Historic Hwy. 66.

The sting also involved at least one trip to the Navajo Travel Plaza, located next to the Love’s truck stop.

There were no attorneys listed in jail records for Luján or Castillo.

The drug operation is among several conducted by the MCSO over the past few months.

“We’re just not going to tolerate drugs in McKinley County,” MCSO Lt. Pat Salazar has said.

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent