Two Mexican nationals have been sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms after a drug investigation in Albuquerque led to the discovery of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and multiple loaded firearms.
Martin Aispuro-Lopez, 27, and Victor Manuel Felix-Ramirez, 24, were found to be illegally present in the United States. Court documents state that between August 2022 and December 2023, Aispuro-Lopez sold methamphetamine and fentanyl to an undercover agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on three occasions. On December 12, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lopez’s residence in southwest Albuquerque. During the search, agents recovered four loaded firearms along with significant quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
At the same location, agents encountered Felix-Ramirez. He had previously been removed from the United States twice in 2019. Agents found two firearms belonging to Ramirez—one of which was loaded and modified with a machine gun conversion device—as well as fentanyl pills. Ramirez admitted his involvement in Lopez’s drug trafficking activities. At sentencing, prosecutors presented evidence linking Ramirez to the Sinaloa Cartel. Items recovered identified him as a “veteran” of the October 17, 2019 “Culiacanazo,” also known as “Black Thursday,” when cartel members clashed with Mexican authorities.
Lopez pleaded guilty to three counts of distributing methamphetamine and received a sentence of 17 years in prison. Ramirez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; he was sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison. The sentencing judge referred to Ramirez as a “trusted soldier” for the organization. Both men will face deportation after completing their sentences.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” according to officials.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, made the announcement today.”
The DEA’s El Paso Division led the investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations El Paso and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Nichols prosecuted the case.
