ALBUQUERQUE – Bernadette Aurora Tapia, 49, was slammed with a 21-month federal prison sentence today in the grim tale of methamphetamine trafficking. The Albuquerque resident joins her co-defendants Gaspar Leal, 47, Brandon Candelaria, 22, and Candace Tapia, 22, who were nabbed during an ATF-led investigation that sent shockwaves through Bernalillo County.
This probe, which got under way in April 2016, resulted in 59 federal indictments against 104 local residents. The teaming-up of ATF personnel with local and state law enforcement agencies was a relentless battle against the soaring violent crime rate in Albuquerque’s metro area, utilizing methods like undercover operations and historical investigations.
The initiative behind this crackdown is a federal anti-violence campaign focusing on repeat offenders like Tapia. It’s all about keeping the ‘worst of the worst’ out of New Mexico communities for as long as possible, with a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and various law enforcement agencies.
Tapia, along with her accused co-defendants, was charged with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine in Bernalillo County on July 12, 2016. On December 13, 2016, Tapia copped to the charges, admitting her role in the June 8, 2016, deal.
So far, 40 out of the 104 defendants have taken the plea deal, with 13 sentenced. The remaining defendants, including Leal, Candelaria, and Candace Tapia, are sticking to their not guilty stance, as charges remain accusations until proven otherwise in court.
This methamphetamine trafficking case was handled by ATF’s Albuquerque office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado leading the prosecution charge.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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