According to an indictment unsealed on Aug. 3, eight people were facing a count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Three of the defendants were from San Elizario while the other four were from Socorro in Texas. Another man from Socorro was taken into custody in June 2016. All eight were taken into custody after drug and weapons stings were conducted by authorities in El Paso County.
In addition to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, the man taken into custody back in June was charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was allegedly found to be in possession of a dozen weapons on June 22. One of the defendants was also charged with using a residence for manufacturing, storing, distribution and using cocaine.
Each of the defendants could face up to 40 years in prison on the conspiracy charge while the man facing the firearms charge could face up to life in prison. The charge of maintaining a residence for drug use or distribution could result in 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, police say that the eight individuals conspired to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine between August 2014 and June 2016.
Those who are charged with drug distribution or any other type of drug charge may wish to consult with an attorney. Legal counsel may be able to create a defense to the charge such as arguing that the search that led to the discovery of controlled substances was conducted illegally. It may also be possible to argue that an individual was entrapped or otherwise compelled to sell drugs against his or her will.
