Two more arrested in NM driver's license fraud ring

PORTALES — Portales police have arrested two people involved in what authorities call a sophisticated ring that specialized in helping illegal immigrants obtain fraudulent New Mexico driver's licenses.

Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matthew Chandler announced Wednesday that Veronica Diaz and Jose-Luis Tirado were arrested this weekend for their roles in the scheme. Both are being held on $10,000 cash only bond.

Authorities believe hundreds of licenses have been fraudulently obtained through the ring over the last couple of years for illegal immigrants living outside of New Mexico.

New Mexico and Washington are the only states that allow illegal immigrants to obtain the same driver's license as a U.S. citizen.

Four others connected to the case were arrested last week.

It was unclear if Diaz or Tirado had hired attorneys.