WINDOW ROCK, Ariz — The Navajo Nation filed criminal charges against two people allegedly growing marijuana for distribution, in violation of Navajo law.
The Navajo Nation Office of the Prosecutor alleged that Dineh Benally and Farley Blue-Eyes operated a massive high-grade marijuana operation in and around Shiprock, New Mexico. The Navajo Nation Code makes it a crime to posses, manufacture, transport sell, use, trade or deliver marijuana on Navajo lands, according to a press release from the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo Nation previously obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction during the COVID-19 pandemic against hemp and cannabis farming alleged to be carried out by Benally and Blue-Eyes.
In November of 2020, the FBI, in coordination with the Navajo Nation Police Department and multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies, raided 21 farms housing and two residences containing more than 1,100 grow houses in the Shiprock area.
During the raid, law enforcement uncovered and destroyed more than a quarter million live plants and processed an estimated 30 tons, or 60,000 pounds, of evidence. The farms of Benally and Blue-Eyes are alleged to be part of that raid.
“No one is above the law,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. “Anyone coming into our communities who seeks to harm the Nation or our Navajo people will be held accountable under my administration, no matter who they are.”
Benally and Blue-Eyes have been served criminal complaints, six in total, and are currently awaiting arraignment, which should take place in late January.
Additionally, more than a dozen of Benally's former employees have sued him in New Mexico state court for allegedly engaging in human trafficking, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, RICO and conspiracy, according to the press release.
“If found guilty through the criminal justice process,” Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch said. “Benally and others must be held accountable for using the COVID-19 pandemic to conceal what turned out to be a highly disruptive illegal marijuana operation, exploiting Navajo residents, and harming the Nation’s precious lands and natural resources.”
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