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A McKinley County deputy arrests a man on drug charges after a traffic stop

Clayton Russell was arrested on drug charges and a warrant after a traffic stop, the sheriff's office said. Deputies said 15 fentanyl pills were found on him.

Gallup Today Staff

Newsroom · July 22, 2026 · 1 min read · Updated

A McKinley County sheriff's deputy arrested Clayton Russell on drug charges after a traffic stop, the sheriff's office said.

The McKinley County Drug Task Force was working information on a suspect known to use drugs who had a warrant for drug-related crimes, the sheriff's office said. The task force is made up of the sheriff's office, Gallup Police and agents from the FBI.

Deputy Dominic Molina arrested Russell after the vehicle was stopped and Russell tried to switch places with the back seat passenger, according to the sheriff's office. Russell was found to have 15 fentanyl pills on his person and was booked on drug charges and the warrant.

An arrest is an allegation.

Via McKinley County Sheriff's Office

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