Albuquerque- A 23-year-old exotic dancer is accused of selling cocaine to undercover officers at a TD’s Showclub.
Deanza Montoya appeared before a judge this week, charged with selling the cocaine. Her arrest was one of the first in what Albuquerque police say is an ongoing investigation into drug sales and prostitution in Albuquerque nightclubs.
“We frequently find problems with criminal activity taking place within these establishments,” said APD spokesperson Detective Jeff Arbogast. “It’s important to remember that we find criminal activity everywhere; no place is immune to it, other bars or restaurants. But we do find that people enter these establishments with intent to conduct criminal activity.”
Undercover narcotics officers have been working this case for almost a year. They say Montoya, along with other dancers, were selling cocaine and using drugs in dressing rooms and bathrooms. But, police say, the dancers aren’t the only ones being investigated.
“These owners know what’s going on within their establishments; they know well and good,” said Arbogast. “They’re allowing it to happen, and they are going to go down. They’re going to lose their business and they may lose more.”
The showclub refused to comment on the case. They won’t say whether Montoya has been fired.