Candace Tapia, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2016

State: New Mexico
Category: Drug Trafficking
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/albuquerque-woman-pleads-guilty-federal-methamphetamine-trafficking-charge-0" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

ALBUQUERQUE – A local woman has been convicted of trafficking methamphetamine in the city.

Candace Tapia, 22, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to a methamphetamine trafficking charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The guilty plea comes as part of a larger investigation that resulted in the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 104 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses.

The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), began in mid-April 2016 and utilized various techniques, including undercover operations and historical investigations.

The case is part of a federal anti-violence initiative targeting ‘the worst of the worst’ offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution.

Tapia was charged by indictment on July 12, 2016, with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine on June 8, 2016, in Bernalillo County. During today’s proceedings, she pled guilty to an information charging her with distribution of methamphetamine and admitted that on June 8, 2016, she distributed methamphetamine to another person.

Tapia faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

To date, 52 of the 104 defendants have entered guilty pleas and 18 have been sentenced. The remaining defendants have entered not guilty pleas.

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