Maria Isabel Ramos, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2014

A California woman has been brought to justice after pleading guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge in New Mexico.

Maria Isabel Ramos, 62, of Lake Elsinore, California, was arrested on November 18, 2014, after New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officers discovered approximately 5.05 kilograms (11.13 pounds) of methamphetamine in her vehicle during a routine traffic stop in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

Ramos and her co-defendant, Monica Ortega, 39, of Riverside, California, were subsequently indicted on December 16, 2014, and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

During today’s proceedings, Ramos pleaded guilty to a felony information and admitted that on November 18, 2014, she was stopped by NMSP officers for driving with an expired license plate.

Ramos further admitted that, during the traffic stop, the officers found a duffel bag in the trunk of her vehicle that contained plastic containers of methamphetamine.

At sentencing, Ramos faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison followed by not less than three years of supervised release.

Ortega has entered a not guilty plea to the indictment. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and the NMSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez is prosecuting the case.

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