United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Ali Godoy, 51, a national of Cuba, was sentenced on Sept. 7 to 10 years in prison. Godoy pleaded guilty on May 24 to one count each of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On April 4, task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Albuquerque District Office and the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) executed a search warrant on Godoy’s apartment on Pennsylvania Street in Albuquerque. During the search, investigators located over 72 grams of fentanyl pills and over 99 grams of methamphetamine in a safe and bag in Godoy’s bedroom. Investigators also found a .45 caliber pistol that had been stolen and was loaded with eight rounds of ammunition, and a 7.62 caliber rifle that was fully loaded with a high-capacity magazine containing 17 rounds of ammunition.

Godoy was previously convicted in Texas in 1996 of possession of a controlled substance, in Florida in 2002 of delivery of cocaine and tampering with evidence and in 2005 of aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and in New Mexico in 2000 of tampering with evidence and failure to appear, in 2001 of possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence and in 2010 of possession of a controlled substance. As a previously convicted felon, Godoy cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

In addition to his prison term, Godoy will be subject to four years of supervised release. In the judgment, however, the Court recommended that Immigration and Customs Enforcement begin removal proceedings during the service of Godoy’s sentence. Godoy entered the United States in 1995 under a two-year “public interest” parole from Cuba.

The DEA and APD investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Tavo Hall prosecuted the case.

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