Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Heroin in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Irving Daniel Ramirez, 25, of El Paso, Texas, pled guilty yesterday in Las Cruces, N.M., federal court to trafficking nearly ten pounds of heroin in New Mexico.

New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officers and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents arrested Ramirez in Aug. 2018, after locating approximately 4.4 kilograms (9.7 pounds) of heroin concealed in Ramirez’s vehicle following a traffic stop on Highway 26 in Dona Ana County, N.M.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Ramirez pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of heroin with intent to distribute.  He admitted that on Aug. 25, 2018, law enforcement agents located seven bundles of heroin weighing a total of approximately 4.4 kilograms, hidden in his vehicle.  Ramirez also admitted that he was hired to transport the drugs, and intended to deliver the heroin to another individual in Albuquerque.

At sentencing, Ramirez faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  Ramirez remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by HSI and the NMSP and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah M. Davenport as part of the Department of Justice’s commitment, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, to combat the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin and prescription opioids and to establish new programs to provide services to victims of the opioid crisis.