A 44-year-old Mexican national is facing federal charges after U.S. Border Patrol agents seized 26.65 pounds of methamphetamine from his vehicle at a checkpoint in southern New Mexico.
Perfecto Lopez-Olivas was arrested on July 7, 2018, after agents allegedly found the methamphetamine concealed in the gas tank of his vehicle while inspecting him at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 54 south of Alamogordo, N.M., in Otero County, N.M.
The methamphetamine, which weighed approximately 12.09 kilograms, is a highly addictive and powerful stimulant that can have devastating consequences on individuals and communities.
Lopez-Olivas was remanded into custody pending trial, which has yet to be scheduled. If convicted of the charges, he faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison, and will be deported after serving his term of incarceration.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol and the Las Cruces office of the DEA. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joni Autrey is prosecuting the case.
Lopez-Olivas is charged with a methamphetamine trafficking offense arising out of the seizure of the methamphetamine at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in southern New Mexico on July 7, 2018.
Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations, and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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