Arizona Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking Conviction in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Jose Marcos Armendariz, 31, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.

Armendariz was arrested in May 2015, on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute after DEA agents found approximately .60 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside Armendariz’s baggage during an interdiction investigation at the Greyhound Bus Station in Albuquerque on May 1, 2015.  Armendariz was indicted on the same charge on May 12, 2015.

On Aug. 19, 2015, Armendariz pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Armendariz admitted that on May 1, 2015, he was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine in his backpack when he was stopped by DEA agents at the Greyhound Bus Station in Albuquerque.

This case was investigated by the Interdiction Unit of the DEA’s Albuquerque office which focuses on disrupting the flow of narcotics, weapons, and the proceeds of illegal activities as they are smuggled into or through New Mexico in passenger buses, passenger trains, commercial vehicles and automobiles.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado prosecuted the case.