Santa Fe, NM — Today, the House of Representatives unanimously approved Senate Bill 70, a complete expansion of our state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). This bill broadened the scope of what prosecutors can use when targeting gangs, cartels, and other criminal enterprises. The following crimes would be added to our state's RICO Act should the Governor sign the bill into law:

Human trafficking
Sexual exploitation of children
Criminal sexual penetration
Criminal sexual contact
Dog fighting and cockfighting
Bringing contraband into places of imprisonment

Primary Sponsor Senator Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) issued the following statement upon passage of the bill:

"This is a major step in the right direction towards truly addressing our state's public safety crisis. I am pleased my fellow lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate supported this common sense legislation. I am appreciative of the collaboration we had with the Governor, District Attorneys, law enforcement, and other community stakeholders to make this happen. Gangs and cartels, your time is up!"

Co-Sponsor Representative Catherine Cullen (R-Rio Rancho) also praised the bill's passage, saying, "Making our communities safer is a top priority of mine. I am proud that we were able to work together to get this vital piece of legislation onto the Governor's desk. This will provide law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they desperately need in order to combat the highly sophisticated and well-funded criminal operations that conduct business and engage in violence throughout our communities. I am committed to furthering these efforts and working with whoever it takes to make our state a safer place for families to live and thrive in."