Press Release
Mexican National Arrested in New Mexico on Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking Charge
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE – Gilberto Galvan-Gonzalez, 37, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, made his initial appearance today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Galvan-Gonzalez remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing which have yet to be scheduled.
Galvan-Gonzalez was arrested yesterday after U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents allegedly located him entering the United States near Santa Teresa, N.M., while carrying approximately 3.16 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside his backpack. According to the criminal complaint, Galvan-Gonzalez allegedly was paid $1,500.00 to carry the methamphetamine from Mexico to the United States.
If convicted on the charge in the criminal complaint, Galvan-Gonzalez faces a statutory mandatory minimum of ten years and a maximum of life imprisonment, and will be deported following his incarceration. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Santa Teresa Station of the U.S. Border Patrol and the Las Cruces office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Saltman of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Updated June 25, 2015
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