Jesus Quiroz, Cocaine Trafficking, New Mexico 2016

Cocaine Trafficking Bust Rocks New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Jesus Quiroz, 36, of Tucson, Ariz., has pleaded guilty to federal cocaine trafficking charges in New Mexico. On September 9, 2016, Quiroz was arrested at the New Mexico Port of Entry near Lordsburg, N.M., after authorities seized 72.1 kilograms (158.95 pounds) of cocaine from a tractor and trailer in which he was traveling.

Quiroz was charged with possession of more than 72 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute in Hidalgo County, N.M. At the time of his arrest, he was on probation for a state cocaine trafficking conviction in Arizona.

During today's proceedings, Quiroz pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the indictment charging him with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Quiroz admitted that on September 9, 2016, he drove a commercial vehicle containing 72.1 kilograms of cocaine into the Lordsburg, New Mexico Port of Entry. Quiroz further admitted that he intended to deliver the cocaine to another person.

Quiroz faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison. He is currently in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brock Taylor of the U.S. Attorney's Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

Quiroz's guilty plea is a significant blow to the organized crime syndicates that have long plagued the state of New Mexico. The seizure of 72.1 kilograms of cocaine is one of the largest in recent history, and it demonstrates the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts to combat the scourge of drug trafficking.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/arizona-man-pleads-guilty-federal-cocaine-trafficking-charge-new-mexico