Alexander M.M. Uballez U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico
A Colorado man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for drug trafficking after being apprehended during a traffic stop on Interstate 25 within the Kewa Pueblo reservation. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the sentence of 228 months for Juan Hugo Lugo, aged 29.
The incident occurred on June 14, 2023, when a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) K9 Officer noticed Lugo speeding and closely following other vehicles near mile marker 250 on Interstate 25. During the traffic stop, the officer saw two large storage bins partially covered with T-shirts in the rear cargo area and another bin on the rear passenger seat containing bundles suspected to be methamphetamine. Additionally, a white powdery substance was visible inside Lugo's nostrils.
Lugo admitted to possessing cocaine for personal use and having recently consumed some during questioning in the police vehicle. A probable cause search of his vehicle uncovered multiple plastic-wrapped bundles containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and five brick-shaped packages believed to contain cocaine. A loaded 9mm Glock 19 firearm was also found in the passenger compartment.
In total, authorities seized 96.1 kilograms of methamphetamine and 4.9 kilograms of cocaine from Lugo's vehicle. Upon completing his prison term, Lugo will face five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made this announcement today. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Assistant United States Attorney Raquel Ruiz Velez is prosecuting it.
