Albuquerque Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Federal Firearms Offenses

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Eric Castañeda, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, announced today that Leonardo Garcia was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Garcia, 39, of Albuquerque, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime on March 17, 2023.

According to court records, on the morning of September 8, 2021, DEA agents arrived at Garcia’s residence ahead of executing a search warrant on the premises. While waiting, agents observed Garcia conducting multiple transactions out of his residence. When agents executed the search warrant, Garcia was arrested without incident and a search of his residence revealed 3,594.3 grams of cocaine and multiple firearms. In his plea agreement, Garcia admitted that he possessed the cocaine with the intent of distributing it and the firearms in furtherance of his intent to distribute the cocaine.   

Upon his release from prison, Garcia will be subject to 5 years of supervised release.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Spindle is prosecuting the case.

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