Arturo Martinez, Heroin Trafficking, New Mexico 2016
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A devastating heroin trafficking case has come to a close in New Mexico. Arturo Martinez, 23, of El Paso, Texas, has been sentenced to 54 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his heroin trafficking conviction.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Las Cruces Branch Office, Martinez and his co-defendant Bryan Marinelarena, 21, a Mexican national, were arrested on May 23, 2015, during a routine inspection at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 10 in Doña Ana County, N.M.
Border Patrol agents found approximately 6.6 kilograms (14.6 pounds) of heroin concealed in the vehicle in which Martinez and Marinelarena were driving from El Paso to California. In total, Martinez and Marinelarena were responsible for transporting 6.6 kilograms of heroin.
On Aug. 4, 2015, Marinelarena and Martinez each pled guilty to a felony information charging them with participating in a heroin trafficking conspiracy. Each admitted that on May 23, 2015, Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 10 checkpoint discovered 6.6 kilograms of heroin hidden in the engine of the SUV in which they were traveling.
In entering their guilty pleas, each man also admitted that he expected to be paid for transporting the heroin from El Paso to California. Martinez anticipated a $6,000 payment while Marinelarena expected to receive a $1,000 payment.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces Station of the U.S. Border Patrol and the Las Cruces office of the DEA. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Saltman of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
The case was prosecuted pursuant to the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center.
Bryan Marinelarena, Martinez's co-defendant, was sentenced on February 23, 2016 to three years in prison for his heroin conviction. Marinelarena will be deported after completing his prison sentence.
Martinez's sentencing came on February 23, 2016, in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M. The defendant was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846.
The New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative is a comprehensive effort to combat the opioid crisis in New Mexico. The initiative aims to reduce the number of opioid-related deaths in the District of New Mexico and to provide education and treatment to those struggling with addiction.
Defendant Details:
Name: Arturo Martinez
City and State: El Paso, Texas
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846
Arrest Date: May 23, 2015
Sentence: 54 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release
Fine: None
Dollar Amounts: $6,000 (Martinez's expected payment)
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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