ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Retired New Mexico State Police Lieutenant Carlos Antonio Perea, 56, has been charged with possession with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl following a high-stakes drug bust during a traffic stop in August 2025. Federal court documents allege that packages of fentanyl were hidden in a duffel bag and two spare tires inside Perea’s vehicle.
The United States District Court documents indicate that Perea’s arraignment is scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025.
KOAT legal analyst John Day weighed in on the case, describing it as deeply troubling. “He’s indicating, at least initially, that he was a skilled trafficker because of his former experience as a high-ranking police officer,” Day said. “It’s a disturbing situation, where you have a cop saying, ‘I’m good at smuggling drugs because I used to enforce the law.'”
Day further explained that if convicted, Perea faces lengthy prison time in federal custody, where former law enforcement officers often require protective custody due to safety risks.
Traveling with Perea during the arrest was Catherine Anne Schmidt, 31, who was in a separate vehicle on Interstate 40. Law enforcement initiated a traffic stop after her vehicle swerved and crossed the white line. Schmidt and Perea gave conflicting stories about their travel, prompting a K-9 unit sniff, which led to the discovery of drugs.
Searches conducted by Homeland Security Investigations uncovered:
A black trash bag with a cardboard box filled with M30 fentanyl pills,
A duffel bag with multiple large packages of pills,
Two spare tires loaded with narcotics in the trunk.
Both Perea and Schmidt were detained, tested positive for fentanyl, and later admitted knowledge of the drugs. Perea reportedly told investigators he made “multiple trips” transporting drugs to and from California, Phoenix, and Roswell, and he did not disclose his law enforcement background to the cartel-connected organization employing him.
The former lieutenant, who retired in 2019, also admitted that his policing experience helped him move drugs undetected.
Perea’s Prior Criminal History:
2023: Arrested on fentanyl charges
2024: Charged with possession of methamphetamine in Valencia County
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and more charges may follow.
