Joel Ibarra-Torres, Cocaine Trafficking, New Mexico 2016

ALBUQUERQUE — A federal grand jury indicted eight individuals on conspiracy and cocaine trafficking charges in connection with a DEA-led investigation into a drug trafficking organization that allegedly distributed cocaine in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

The indictment and arrests were announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez and Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy of DEA’s El Paso Division.

The 18-count indictment is the result of a six-month investigation, which was designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, targeting a drug trafficking organization allegedly led by Joel Ibarra-Torres, 46, a Mexican national, that allegedly distributed cocaine in Doña Ana County. Ibarra-Torres has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.

The indictment alleges that Ibarra-Torres and seven co-conspirators, including several members of Ibarra-Torres’ family, participated in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that existed from at least March 31, 2016 until Sept. 20, 2016.

Initial appearances for the seven defendants arrested today have yet to be scheduled.

The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Las Cruces office of the DEA, the U.S. Border Patrol and the FBI. The U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, National Guard, Sunland Park Police Department, New Mexico State Police and the Las Cruces Police Department participated in today’s law enforcement operation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Terri J. Abernathy and Sarah M. Davenport of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch office.

Joel Ibarra-Torres, 46, is charged with participating in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy in Doña Ana County and elsewhere from at least March 31, 2016 through Sept. 20, 2016 (Count 1). The statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than five years and not more than 40 years.

The indictment also alleges that Ibarra-Torres and two of his co-defendants participated in an international money laundering conspiracy (Count 2). The maximum statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is 20 years.

The indictment includes forfeiture provisions that seek the forfeiture of at least $31,620, constituting proceeds of the defendants’ alleged criminal activities, to the United States.

The defendants charged in the indictment are:

Joel Ibarra-Torres, 46, participating in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy (Count 1), participating in a money laundering conspiracy (Count 2), using a communication facility, a telephone, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Counts 10-18)

Defendants Charged in United States v. Joel Ibarra-Torres, et al. 16-CR-3796

Summary of the Charges:

Count 1: Participating in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy (March 31, 2016 – Sept. 20, 2016) – 5-40 years

Count 2: Participating in a money laundering conspiracy (June 15, 2016 – Sept. 20, 2016) – 20 years

Counts 3, 5, 8: Distributing cocaine in Doña Ana County – 20 years

Counts 4, 6, 7, 9: Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in Doña Ana County – 5-40 years

Counts 10-18: Using a communication facility, a telephone, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime – 4 years

The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

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