New Mexico
State leaders outline results of 'Operation Disruption' in New Mexico
On Tuesday, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other law enforcement leaders updated folks on Operation Disruption.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Tuesday, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other law enforcement leaders updated folks on “Operation Disruption.” That’s an effort targeting human trafficking at our southern border.
Bregman is not only the Bernalillo County district attorney, he’s chair of the Organized Crime Commission. That commission has human trafficking on New Mexico’s border in the crosshairs.
“Human trafficking is modern day slavery,” said Bregman.
The governor, along with law enforcement leadership, outlined the results of Operation Disruption, which targeted human trafficking operations on the border.
“If we don’t stop it, we don’t disrupt it, we continue to be victimized,” said Lujan Grisham.
For two weeks, law enforcement agencies teamed up for a surge at the border.
“The two weeks this operation was in place resulted in a significant drop in migrant deaths,” Bregman said.
Bregman shared a photo as an example of that life-saving work. State Police officers found a woman in critical condition in the desert and saved her life with an ice bath.
According to the governor’s office, law enforcement found nine people in the desert during the operation, and a total of 91 were rescued by State Police. 33 stash houses were identified. 16 people were arrested and now face state charges.
Bregman and the governor say operations like this have ripple effects.
“You disrupt one part of the criminal activity, you’re disrupting fentanyl trafficking and gun trafficking,” Lujan Grisham.
They say more needs to be done.
“Our human trafficking laws need to be changed in the state of New Mexico,” Bregman said.
The governor says she will again try to get the law changed at the session in January. In the meantime, Bregman promises law enforcement will continue to target human trafficking across the state.
“We know there’s stash houses in Albuquerque, and we’re coming for them,” said Bregman.
- Who: New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez brought a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc.
- Why: The state claims Meta misrepresented harms to minors and created a public nuisance through its social media platforms.
- Where: The lawsuit is pending in New Mexico state court.
- How to get help: Has social media impacted the mental health of you or your child? You may qualify to join a social media lawsuit against the platform.
New Mexico’s attorney general is asking a state court to order Meta to pay approximately $3.7 billion to address what the state describes as a “public nuisance” caused by the company’s social media platforms.
The request comes after a jury previously found Meta misrepresented the risks its platforms — including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — pose to underage users. The jury also imposed a $375 million penalty in the first phase of the trial.
The case has now moved into a second phase, where the court will determine what additional remedies, if any, Meta must provide.
According to the state, the proposed $3.712 billion abatement plan would fund a 15-year effort to address the alleged harms caused by Meta’s platforms. The plan includes funding for public education, school resources, law enforcement support and mental health services for children affected by issues, such as online bullying and sexual exploitation.
“This request recognizes the scope of the public nuisance that Meta has caused,” counsel for the state argued in court.
The lawsuit alleges Meta concealed or downplayed the extent of harmful activity on its platforms while publicly portraying them as safe for younger users.
Meta disputes liability, challenges proposed abatement plan
Meta denies the allegations and argues there is no legal basis for the sweeping relief requested by the state.
Attorneys for the company contend the proposed abatement plan does not directly address or stop the alleged harmful conduct and instead seeks compensation for downstream effects.
“What no court has ever allowed … is payment for the downstream effects,” Meta’s counsel argued, describing the request as “damages masquerading as something else.”
The court is expected to hear additional testimony during the second phase of the trial before determining whether to approve any form of injunctive relief or financial remedies.
In March, a California jury found Meta and Google liable for mental health harms suffered by plaintiff Kaley G.M., who became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child, awarding $6 million in damages, including $3 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages.
What do you think about the claims against Meta in this case? Let us know in the comments.
The state is represented by Raul Torrez of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General and Donald Migliori, Linda Singer, Michael Pendell and David Ackerman of Motley Rice LLC.
The Meta lawsuit is New Mexico v. Meta Platforms Inc., et al., Case No. D-101-CV-2023-02838, in the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico.
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – A 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck in southern Colorado near the New Mexico border Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with shocks felt as far as Pueblo.
According to the USGS, around 10:45 a.m., an earthquake struck near Weston at a depth of 8.7 km.
USGS said weak shaking could be felt as far as southern Pueblo and Monte Vista, with the shaking measured at an intensity level 3.
USGS said it estimates a 28% chance that an aftershock greater than 3.0 can be felt again within the next week.
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