Native American Art Worth $33,000 Discovered In Albuquerque Meth Lab

Thanks to Breaking Bad, methamphetamines and Albuquerque, New Mexico are practically synonymous these days. Which kind of sucks, since Albuquerque is one of the most beautiful places in the American Southwest. But now the city’s about to regain some of its former glory, thanks to a local police officer on a drug best. The unnamed hero discovered a cache of lost Native American art worth $33,000:

Police said the officer found the valuable prints last week during a protective sweep of the condemned apartment right before city official were to board up the property. Authorities say the building was deemed uninhabitable for two years following the discovery of a methamphetamine lab.

According to police, the officer spotted an art portfolio case containing Momaday prints on the floor. The officer googled Momaday’s name and discovered he was a Mountain View, Oklahoma-born Kiowa painter who died in 1981.

“Knowing this, and knowing all the history about this apartment, I knew (whoever) left this property behind had no lawful reason to be in possession of this (artwork),” the officer wrote in his report.

The officer took the prints to an Albuquerque Museum curator who valued them at $33,000. (Via AP)

The authorities are still trying to determine where the art came from, as current speculation suggests it was stolen “while on loan.” Whatever the case may be, it’s good to hear that something wonderful has happened in the real life Albuquerque (as opposed to Breaking Bad‘s fictionalized one). Plus, Momaday’s relatives will surely appreciate the discovery.

(Via AP)

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