Two Mexican nationals who were in the United States illegally have been sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms following a drug trafficking investigation in Albuquerque. Martin Aispuro-Lopez, 27, received a 17-year sentence, while Victor Manuel Felix-Ramirez, 24, was sentenced to 22 and a half years.
According to court documents, between August 2022 and December 2023, Aispuro-Lopez sold methamphetamine and fentanyl on three occasions to an undercover agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). On December 12, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in southwest Albuquerque. During the search, officers recovered four loaded firearms and significant amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
At the same location, agents found Felix-Ramirez. He had previously been removed from the United States twice in 2019. Agents discovered two firearms belonging to him—one loaded and modified with a machine gun conversion device—as well as fentanyl pills. Felix-Ramirez admitted participating in drug trafficking activities with Aispuro-Lopez. At sentencing, prosecutors presented evidence linking Felix-Ramirez to the Sinaloa Cartel through items referencing his involvement in the "Culiacanazo" or "Black Thursday," an October 2019 confrontation between cartel members and Mexican authorities.
Aispuro-Lopez pled guilty to three counts of distributing methamphetamine. Felix-Ramirez pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The sentencing judge referred to Felix-Ramirez as a "trusted soldier" for the organization.
Upon completion of their sentences, both men will be deported.
"There is no parole in the federal system."
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: "Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, made the announcement today."
The DEA's El Paso Division led this investigation with support from Homeland Security Investigations El Paso and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Nichols prosecuted the case.
