Two Hobbs, NM Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

In Pecos today, 45-year-old Claudio Marques Martinez, Jr., was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison followed by eight years of supervised release for conspiring to transport marijuana from the Big Bend area to Hobbs, NM, for further distribution announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr., and DEA Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, El Paso Division.

In May 2015, Martinez’s co-defendant, 62-year-old Norberto Pando Aranda (aka “Beto”) was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release for his role in the marijuana distribution scheme.

According to court records, from December 2012 to May 2013, the defendants recruited drivers to pick up marijuana along the border with Mexico in South Brewster and Presidio, Counties of Texas, and transport it to Hobbs, New Mexico.  During the conspiracy, authorities seized over 1,200 kilograms of marijuana attributed to this organization.  Five drivers hired by the defendants have been sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 41 to 60 months.

This joint investigation was conducted by the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force in Alpine, TX, with assistance from the Lea County (NM) Drug Task Force.  Assistant United States Attorney James J. Miller, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.