Cocaine Smuggler Gets Caught in the Act
Albuquerque, N.M. – In a major blow to cocaine trafficking in the region, Jose Alfredo Martinez-Salas, 37, a Mexican national, has pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine in New Mexico. The crime, which took place on September 15, 2016 in Bernalillo County, N.M., resulted in the distribution of approximately 3.2 kilograms of cocaine.
According to court documents, Martinez-Salas and his co-defendants, Omar Garcia, 34, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Abraham Andres Rios, 37, a Mexican national, were arrested on September 15, 2016 after they attempted to distribute approximately 6.1 kilograms of cocaine and a kilogram of heroin to undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents.
In entering the guilty plea, Martinez-Salas admitted to picking up a backpack containing the cocaine in Taos, N.M., with the intention of delivering the cocaine to individuals in Albuquerque. Law enforcement officers arrested Martinez-Salas in a restaurant parking lot in northwest Albuquerque after he delivered the cocaine to other individuals.
Martinez-Salas is currently facing a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
The case was investigated by the Albuquerque offices of HSI and DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Uballez is prosecuting the case.
Garcia and Rios have entered pleas of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. Charges in criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusations and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mandatory Facts: Defendant’s full name: Jose Alfredo Martinez-Salas; Exact criminal charge: Distribution of Cocaine; City and state: Albuquerque, N.M.; Exact date: September 15, 2016; Sentence or outcome: Faces up to 40 years in federal prison; Dollar amounts: Approximately 3.2 kilograms of cocaine distributed.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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