United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Eric Castañeda, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, and Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Rafael Columbie was sentenced to 10 years in prison. A federal jury convicted Columbie, 54, of Albuquerque, on December 1, 2022, on one count each of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin.

The case against Columbie and his co-conspirators was part of a long-term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration into a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Through the investigation, Columbie was identified as a drug transporter for Jesus Lopez.

On July 18, 2018, Columbie was traveling east on Interstate 40 when a New Mexico State Police Officer stopped Columbie for speeding. During a consensual search of the vehicle, officers found over 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 200 grams of heroin in bundles within a Coca-Cola soda box behind the driver seat.

Columbie was the only defendant who refused to enter a guilty plea. Eight other defendants pled guilty to various drug trafficking charges in 2022.

Abel Gallegos, aka “Gato,” 41, of Albuquerque, pled guilty to distribution of 500 grams and more of cocaine, aiding and abetting, and distribution of 50 grams and more of methamphetamine on August 29, 2022, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Saul Gallegos, aka “Tulin,” 37, of Albuquerque, pled guilty to distribution of 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting on April 20, 2022 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Martha Reyes-Villalobos, 40, of Chihuahua, Mexico, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine on May 3, 2022, and was sentenced to time served.

Ivan Cordova, 41, or Albuquerque, pled guilty to use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense on August 1, 2022, and was sentenced to time served.

Baudel Palacios-Prieto, 46, and Zachary Fogler, 37, both of Albuquerque, pled guilty to one count of use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense each on August 8, 2022. Palacios-Prieto was sentenced to time served and Fogler was given three years of probation.

Jesus M. Lopez, 41, of Albuquerque, pled guilty to distribution of 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense, and two counts of aiding and abetting on May 5, 2022. Lopez’s sentencing is currently scheduled for August 29, 2023. Adrian Palacios, 37, of Albuquerque, pled guilty to conspiracy on August 11, 2022. Palacios’ sentencing is currently scheduled for September 19, 2023.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter J. Eicker and David B. Hirsch are prosecuting the case.

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