Albuquerque Narcotics Kingpin Pleads Guilty

ALBUQUERQUE – The grimy streets of Albuquerque witnessed another solemn plea as 44-year-old Jose Martinez-Encinias entered a guilty plea in federal court for drug trafficking and firearms charges. The man known as the ‘narcotics kingpin’ is staring down a heavy sentence after being caught with drugs, guns, and cash that could feed his empire.

Martinez-Encinias faces 135 months in the slammer, to be followed by a term of supervised release determined by the court. The plea deal was announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney and DEA’s Will R. Glaspy, underscoring the government’s resolve to crack down on drug trafficking organizations.

The investigation into Martinez-Encinias’ crime syndicate began 18 months ago. It revealed an alleged ring led by David Reynolds, 34, distributing large quantities of heroin across Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) played a pivotal role in the investigation.

Martinez-Encinias was originally nabbed in June 2013 for possessing heroin, cocaine with intent to distribute, and a firearm used in furtherance of drug trafficking. Law enforcement recovered nearly two kilograms of heroin, over one kilogram of cocaine, multiple firearms, and $19,000 in cash during a search warrant executed at his residence.

The superseding indictment charged 13 co-defendants, including Reynolds, with conspiracy to distribute heroin from September 2012 through December 2013. The court sought a money judgment of at least $1.3 million and forfeiture of property and assets related to the crime.

Of Martinez-Encinias’ co-defendants, six have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced, while three await their fate. The grim tally includes Teddy Archuleta’s time served sentence, Miguel Baca’s 37-month term, and Daniel Jiron’s 72-month sentence. Meanwhile, three others remain in custody, awaiting sentencing hearings.

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