New Mexico Man Sentenced to More Than 27 Years in Prison for Cocaine Distribution
PECOS – An Anthony, New Mexico man was sentenced this week to 327 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine.
According to court documents, Gilberto Hernandez, aka “G”, 30, was the leader of the Hernandez drug trafficking organization (DTO). From August 2021 until November 2022, the Hernandez DTO trafficked approximately 58 kilos of cocaine throughout Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.
On May 26, 2023 Hernandez pleaded guilty to eight counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Five other co-defendants of Hernandez have been sentenced and one is awaiting sentencing. Cesar Rodarte, aka El Gordo, 38, of Anthony, NM, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced this week to 151 months in prison.
Daniel Ochoa Meza, 37, of Monahans, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced this week to 135 months in prison.
Anthony Bustos, Sr., aka Tony, 60, of Monahans was sentenced on September 22, 2023 to 87 months in prison. Bustos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Armiro Bernal Cabello, 45, of Fort Stockton, was sentenced on August 29, 2023 to 121 months in prison. Cabello pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Juan Jose Mora, 41, of Vado, NM, was sentenced on May 23, 2023 to 27 months in prison. Mora pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
George Daniel Mendoza, 31, of Deming, NM, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Mendoza is set to be sentenced on February 27, 2024.
“If you attempt to set up a criminal enterprise in one of our communities, you will be introduced to the men and women of the DEA,” said Towanda Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “We will stop at nothing to shut you down and make sure you face the same justice handed down to Mr. Hernandez.”
“In a little over a year, the Hernandez DTO peddled over 127 pounds of cocaine throughout Texas, Mexico and Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I applaud the DEA for their diligence and persistence in taking down this drug organization.”
The DEA’s Alpine Resident Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum prosecuted the case.
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