Two women from Colorado, Ebajelina Silva of Arvada and Tania Maldonado of Denver, have been charged in a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy that allegedly moved methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico through New Mexico to other parts of the United States, according to a March 12 announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison.
The case is significant because it highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to disrupt criminal organizations moving illegal drugs across borders into American communities. The charges stem from an investigation that spanned several states and involved multiple agencies working together under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative.
Court records allege that between November 2023 and July 2025, Silva coordinated narcotics pickups and deliveries with Reymondo Mandonado of Thornton, Colorado. Maldonado is accused of helping transmit drug proceeds to individuals in Mexico using structured wire transfers through money service businesses. The investigation linked the conspiracy to repeated border crossings, communications data, financial records, and a July 7, 2025 traffic stop in Otero County, New Mexico. During that stop, law enforcement seized over 146 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and nearly five kilograms of cocaine hidden in a trailer driven by Mandonado.
Silva and Maldonado are each charged with one count of conspiracy and conspiracy to launder money. Both will remain in custody pending trial. If convicted, they face a minimum sentence of ten years up to life in prison. Mandonado has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine; he also remains in custody awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159. The HSTF brings together federal, state, and local agencies—including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS), Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police (NMSP), among others—to target criminal cartels operating within the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Camacho is prosecuting the cases. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
