ESPAÑOLA, NM – Marco Antonio Lozoya-Ugarte, a Mexican national, is headed to federal prison for nine years after a disturbing discovery in Española left law enforcement reeling. Lozoya-Ugarte was found slumped over the wheel of a running vehicle, but the scene quickly escalated into a major narcotics and weapons bust.
The incident unfolded on April 24, 2023, when Española Police Department officers responded to a report of an unresponsive driver within the Santa Clara Pueblo boundaries. What began as a welfare check rapidly turned criminal. Officers discovered a holstered handgun on Lozoya-Ugarte’s hip and a loaded rifle magazine inside the vehicle. An AR-15 style rifle was visible in plain sight.
A full search of the vehicle and Lozoya-Ugarte revealed a veritable arsenal of illegal substances. Authorities seized approximately 148 grams of methamphetamine, 22.5 grams of cocaine, 605 fentanyl pills, 204 ecstasy pills, and 6.5 grams of black tar heroin. Also recovered were various items of drug paraphernalia and materials clearly intended for distribution. Lozoya-Ugarte, who entered the United States on a business visa, initially attempted to mislead officers by providing a false name.
Lozoya-Ugarte ultimately pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and the serious charge of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The plea secured a nine-year federal prison sentence, a term devoid of the possibility of parole. This is a harsh reality of the federal system – no second chances.
“This case demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by drug trafficking organizations and their willingness to arm themselves,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “Our office, alongside our federal and local partners, will continue to aggressively prosecute those who seek to profit from the misery of others.” Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office echoed these sentiments.
Upon his release from prison, Lozoya-Ugarte will face five years of supervised release, which will automatically convert to unsupervised release once he is deported from the United States. The investigation was led by the Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, with crucial assistance from the Española Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert James Booth II and Mark A. Probasco are handling the prosecution.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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