Mexican National Facing Federal Charge Based on 40-Pound Cocaine Seizure at Port of Entry in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – This morning, a U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Las Cruces, N.M., found probable cause to support a criminal complaint charging Edgardo Torres-Ruvalcaba, 32, a Mexican national, with a cocaine trafficking offense arising out of the seizure of more than 40 pounds of cocaine at the Santa Teresa, N.M., Port of Entry on March 10, 2018.  Torres-Ruvalcaba was remanded into custody pending trial, which has yet to be scheduled.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested Torres-Ruvalcaba on March 10, 2018, after seizing approximately 18.4 kilograms (40.4 pounds) of cocaine allegedly concealed in Torres-Ruvalcaba’s vehicle.  According to the criminal complaint, the agents found the cocaine while inspecting the vehicle at the Santa Teresa, N.M., Port of Entry.

If convicted of the charges in the criminal complaint, Torres-Ruvalcaba faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Saltman of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case.