Francisco Alberto Guerrero-Rodriguez, Cocaine Trafficking, New Mexico 2017

Las Cruces Man Charged with Cocaine Trafficking

ALBUQUERQUE – In a shocking turn of events, Francisco Alberto Guerrero-Rodriguez, 20, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, has been charged with cocaine trafficking offenses.

The charges against Guerrero-Rodriguez arise out of the seizure of a significant quantity of cocaine at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in southern New Mexico. According to the criminal complaint, Guerrero-Rodriguez was arrested on July 20, 2017 after Border Patrol agents allegedly seized 8.8 kilograms (19.4 pounds) of cocaine from his vehicle.

The cocaine was found during an inspection at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 54 south of Alamogordo, N.M., in Otero County, N.M. According to the complaint, the cocaine was contained in seven bundles that were concealed in an “after-market compartment above the gas tank” that was accessed through a trap door under the vehicle’s back seat.

Guerrero-Rodriguez, a Mexican national, is currently being held in federal custody pending his trial, which has yet to be scheduled. If convicted of the charges in the criminal complaint, Guerrero-Rodriguez faces a statutory minimum of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison.

Guerrero-Rodriguez’s case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol and the Las Cruces office of the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Saltman is prosecuting the case.

Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Defendant: Francisco Alberto Guerrero-Rodriguez, Age: 20, Mexican National, Charged with: Cocaine Trafficking, Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico, Date: July 20, 2017, Sentence: Pending Trial, Prison Time: Up to Life, Fine: None.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/two-mexican-nationals-facing-federal-drug-trafficking-charges-arising-out-seizures