Ex-Cop Arrested on Drug Charges

By Jeff Proctor, Journal Staff Writer

A former Albuquerque Police Department officer was arrested Tuesday on narcotics trafficking charges after the man's son inadvertently led authorities to his home.
Robert Estrada Jr., 48, is charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine and marijuana— a second-degree felony, said John Walsh, an APD spokesman.
Estrada, a 20-year APD veteran, retired more than five years ago, Walsh said.
"What this shows is that when you have a cross-cut of your police department membership and former membership, we suffer from the same ills as the greater society," Walsh said.
Police happened upon about 4 pounds of marijuana, 30 grams of meth, about $500 in cash and a wide array of paraphernalia at Estrada's home in the 5100 block of Lomas de Atrisco NW, he said.
Authorities were led to his home after police responded to a domestic dispute involving his 22-year-old son, Robert Estrada III, in the 2500 block of Aspen NE, he said.
A woman had apparently brandished a firearm at Estrada III, who took the gun and fled to his father's home, Walsh said.
Police found Estrada III at the home and arrested him, he said. Officers entered the home with a search warrant to find the stolen gun.
The elder Estrada was released Wednesday from the Metropolitan Detention Center after posting a $30,000 bond, jail records show. Estrada III faces numerous charges and his bond has been set at $100,000 at the West Side jail.