ALBUQUERQUE - A Santa Fe, N.M., man is detained pending trial on federal cocaine base trafficking charges according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the DEA and the Santa Fe Police Department. According to court filings, the charges against Kevin Madrid, 31, are the result of a long-term investigation into a drug trafficking organization allegedly headed by Madrid that distributed crack cocaine in northern New Mexico.
The DEA and Santa Fe Police Department arrested Madrid on Dec. 20, 2017, based on an indictment charging him with participating in a cocaine base trafficking conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base. Cocaine base is more commonly known as “crack" or “crack cocaine." The indictment alleges that between March 2017 and Dec. 2017, Madrid conspired with others to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine in Santa Fe County, N.M. It further alleges that Madrid distributed more than 280 grams of crack cocaine on Oct. 26, 2017, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
Madrid was arraigned on the indictment on Dec. 22, 2017, and entered a not guilty plea. Madrid was ordered detained pending trial, which is currently scheduled for Feb. 12, 2018.
If convicted of the crimes charged in the indictment, Madrid faces a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and the Santa Fe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy S. Vasquez is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
