PART 7 OF 10 @Cop Watch obtained body camera footage of an interview NMSP K-9 Officer Leo Palomares. Officer Palomares stated he is a full-time member of the NMSP K9 team and HSI Task Force Officer. The majority of his training is towards the narcotics interdiction
side of patrolling.
Officer Palomares stated on January 28, 2021, HSI Supervisor Mark Kolnas called him and asked if he was available to assist with a whisper stop. Officer Palomares stated he has assisted with many whisper stops for different federal agencies. Normally this is asked of him, due to the agency not wanting to burn their confidential informants. Another
situation could be because the agency does not have the monies to purchase the narcotics he suspect will be travelling with.
Officer Palomares and his partner Officer Montez were supposed to be the primary traffic stop of Omar Cueva. Officer Darian Jarrott was the one who noticed the truck and pulled him over.
Here is his interview on what happened on that day and the days leading up to it.