Severano Ceballos Martinez, Methamphetamine Possession, New Mexico 2021

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - An alarming 1,685 grams of methamphetamine, a potent and highly addictive synthetic opioid, has been linked to Severano Ceballos Martinez, a 45-year-old man from Copaco, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Martinez was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine. The severe punishment was meted out by a federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Nov. 3, 2021, after Martinez pleaded guilty to the charges.

According to the plea agreement and other court records, Martinez had agreed to deliver five pounds of methamphetamine and 1,000 fentanyl pills to an apartment in Albuquerque on April 7, 2021. However, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) placed Martinez under arrest upon his arrival at the apartment. A search of his vehicle revealed the illicit substances, including five bags containing 1,685 grams of methamphetamine and a plastic bag containing 2,115 fentanyl pills.

The search also yielded $2,800 in cash and three cellular phones. Investigators found multiple identification cards, all containing Martinez's photograph, inside his wallet.

Martinez has a history of violating the law. In 1997, he was convicted of possession of a narcotic drug for sale under the name Usebio Martinez Mendoza in Arizona. In 2005, he was convicted of attempted auto theft under the name Oscar Márquez in Arizona. Additionally, Martinez was convicted of re-entry of a removed alien under the name Pilar Geronimo Mendoza-Avendano in 2010 and 2014 in Arizona, and was removed from the United States to Mexico on August 1, 2017. Martinez faces removal proceedings upon completion of his sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado prosecuted the case, while the ATF investigated the crime.

Martinez's arrest and sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the severity of the methamphetamine epidemic sweeping the nation. The illicit substance has devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities, and those involved in its distribution and sale must be held accountable for their crimes.

As Grimy Times continues to shed light on the complex issues surrounding methamphetamine trafficking, it is essential to acknowledge the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors working to dismantle these operations and bring perpetrators to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/mexican-national-sentenced-17-years-prison-methamphetamine-possession