South Carolina Criminal Lawyer Blog

This month, the mayor and police chief of a New Mexico border town were accused of participating in a ring alleged to have illegaly sent guns to Mexico. ABC news reports, "A federal indictment said the defendants have engaged in a conspiracy — based in Columbus, N.M. — to buy firearms since January 2010. Law enforcement officers executed search warrants Thursday at the Columbus Police Department, a gun shop and eight homes." There are a total of 11 defendants and 10 of them are set for initial apperances in federal court in Las Cruces. One defendant remains at large and is considered a fugitive.

In other recent news, 4 mexicans are facing trial on federal methamphetamine trafficking charges. According to HeraldBulletin.com, "A federal grand jury last week indicted 31-year-old Rosalba Acevedo, 38-year-old Heriberto Ibanez Garcia, and Lenin Aguirre and Juan Castillo. The U.S. attorney's office says the men are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine." If the men are convicted, they could be sentenced to life in prison and be fined up to $4 million.

At the end of last year, the U.S. border police found a 600-yard tunnel used for drug smuggling which linked southern California with Mexico. The tunnel was even equipped with a rail system and had lights and ventilation. The tunnel was primarily used for trafficking marijuana and was run by an American citizen and his mexican wife. According to U.S. customs and border protection, "This wasn't a mom-and-pop operation, or in this case a husband and wife operation. This is clearly organized crime at work."

If you or someone you know are involved in a drug-related crime, you will need to hire a federal criminal attorney. Do not hesitate to contact one of the South Carolina federal criminal attorneys at The Mace Firm.