Three indicted for marijuana operation on Navajo Nation land

A federal indictment charges three people for allegedly operating illegal marijuana growing and distribution.The indictment charges 48-year-old Dineh Benally, his father Donald Benally, 74, and 73-year-old Irving Rea Yui. They are charged with manufacturing 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, conspiracy to manufacture and distribute along with other related charges. They are also charged with two counts of knowingly discharging pollutants into federal waters.The indictment states the three ran about 400 acres of marijuana farms in the Shiprock area. That totaled 25 farms in that area. About 1,107 cannabis greenhouses were linked to them as well.Your neighborhood: Local news from KOAT Action 7 NewsTheir charges of polluting water stem from pollutants found in the San Juan River. The indictment claims their alleged actions caused significant environmental damage.Law enforcement seized about 60,000 pounds of marijuana and roughly 260,000 marijuana plants in November 2020 from those 25 farms. Nearly five years later, an FBI raid took place in Estancia of farms allegedly operated by Dineh Benally.Law enforcement there found 10 Chinese workers, thousands of dollars and more marijuana was seized. Additionally, meth, firearms and illegal pesticides were also recovered from the Estancia farms.If convicted, they face up to life in federal prison. Officials said they will face no less than 10 years in prison if convicted.FBI Special Agent Raul Bujanda said the collaboration of law enforcement agencies was key to ending this marijuana growing operation.”The FBI remains committed to continue to dismantle criminal organizations operating in New Mexico,” Bujanda said. “Effective law enforcement requires strong partnerships at every level. This operation is a testament to the power of collaboration between state, local, tribal, and federal agencies to ensure justice is served and our communities are protected.”State police and other agencies provided statements on the unsealed federal indictment following years of investigating. Here are the statements provided.Action 7 News On The Go: Download our app for freeNew Mexico State Police”The illegal cannabis trafficking organization dismantled in this operation has been an ongoing problem for New Mexico,” NMSP Chief Troy Weisler said. “They thought they were untouchable, but they were mistaken. The New Mexico State Police, in partnership with the FBI, remains committed to shutting down operations like this and eliminating organized crime from our state.”San Juan County Sheriff’s Office”In November of 2020 the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office worked hand in hand with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies to dismantle the large-scale marijuana growing operation on the Navajo Nation,” SJCSO Sheriff Shane Ferrari said. “The indictment and arrest of Dineh Benally is a significant step toward accountability for the exploitation of immigrant workers and resources of the Navajo Nation. I am proud of our working relationships with our local, state and federal partners. This case exemplifies our unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting sovereign tribal lands, and ensuring the safety of all communities impacted by illicit drug operations.”Torrance County Sheriff’s Office”The Torrance County Sheriff’s Office has been working on this operation for over a year with our state and federal agency partners,” TCSO Sheriff David Frazee said. “We want to thank all those involved including personnel from the FBI, TCSO, Border Patrol, HSI, NMSP, APD, BCSO, EPA, TCRD, TCAC, VCSO,NM DOJ, USAO, and RCFL for their hard work and cooperation that allowed us to complete the operation in a timely and effective manner. We also want to thank the community for their support, tips, and information that made this possible. Please continue to call in tips regarding any kind of suspected criminal activity and rest assured we will investigate and take actions as legally allowed. In total, three federal search warrants and two federal arrest warrants were executed.” Navajo Division of Public Safety”The Navajo Division of Public Safety office of the Executive Director expresses gratitude for the partnership that exists between law enforcement jurisdictions protecting the Dine’ people, its land, and its life way.”The arrest of Donald Benally on January 23, 2025, in Shiprock, New Mexico pursuant to a federal arrest warrant charging Benally with Conspiracy – possession with intent to distribute 1,000 and more kilograms of marijuana and 1,000 and more of marijuana plants is a testament to this partnership.”Many Dine’ farmlands were destroyed and its fresh water polluted with pesticides, creating an imbalance and disharmony for the Dine’ people and its land. The disruption occurred when the people’s cornfields were replaced with marijuana fields and its yellow corn pollen way of life was trampled on by greed.”The joint investigation into the disruption by the Navajo and federal law enforcement agencies was long and it involved many people. The Navajo Division of Public Safety is happy for the Dine’ people that the individuals responsible for the disruption have finally been caught, and it is a good day for the Dine’ people.”The Navajo law enforcement and its Tribal, County, State, and Federal partners will continue to work long and hard to protect the Dine’ people, its land, and its life way.”