Ten individuals have been charged in a federal indictment alleging their involvement in a Grant County drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl throughout southwest New Mexico between 2023 and 2026, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison on July 21.
Court documents allege that Margarita Encarnacion Dominguez led the organization, obtaining narcotics from Arizona-based supplier Marco Elias Martinez. Dominguez is accused of coordinating couriers to transport drugs and cash between Arizona and New Mexico, collecting payments through wire transfers and electronic payment applications, and redistributing drugs through family members and associates. Martinez allegedly supplied multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine and hundreds of grams of fentanyl for redistribution. Investigators say the two communicated regularly about shipments, payments, couriers, inventory levels, and customer demand.
The indictment outlines roles for several co-conspirators: Danny Joe Muñoz is alleged to have possessed and distributed drugs; Joshua Jake Padilla allegedly sought narcotics for redistribution; Angelica R’Shae Salas and Michael Joseph Alirez are accused of purchasing methamphetamine from Dominguez, pooling money for purchases, and retrieving shipments from Arizona. Patrick Flores is alleged to have delivered significant amounts of drugs as a courier; Cynthia Jimenez is accused of receiving distribution quantities from Dominguez; Tania Diaz allegedly assisted with financial transactions while being illegally present in the United States.
The indictment further alleges discussions among members about buying or exchanging firearms related to drug trafficking. Martinez and Flores are also charged with conspiring to obstruct justice after arranging for the destruction of Dominguez’s cellphone to prevent investigators from accessing communications tied to the conspiracy. Additionally, Martinez faces charges for transmitting interstate threats following the loss of a shipment.
Charges include conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine or fentanyl, attempted possession with intent to distribute these substances, distribution offenses, use of communication facilities during crimes, obstruction-related offenses, as well as firearms violations in related cases involving Joseph De La Torre. Mandatory minimum sentences range from five years up to life imprisonment depending on specific charges if convicted.
This prosecution forms part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159. The task force comprises multiple federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Customs & Border Protection components among others across Texas and New Mexico jurisdictions. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.