Ohkay Owingeh Resident Charged with Federal Cocaine Trafficking Offense

ALBUQUERQUE—This morning in federal court in Albuquerque, a United States Magistrate Judge found that there was probable cause to support a criminal complaint charging Manuel A. Munoz-Duran, 48, with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Munoz-Duran, a Mexican resident, resides within the boundaries of the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, but is not a member of the pueblo. If convicted, Munoz-Duran faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. Munoz-Duran entered a not guilty plea during this morning’s proceedings and waived his right to a detention hearing. He is detained pending trial.

United States Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Munoz-Duran was arrested as part of an investigation brought pursuant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Safe Trails/Safe Pueblos Initiative and Southwest HIDTA’s Native American Project (NAP) funded through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Through these two initiatives, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies work together to promote a comprehensive law enforcement and community supported partnership that seeks to eliminate drug trafficking and substance abuse in the Pueblos of Santa Clara, Ohkay Owingeh, and Pojoaque, which are located in New Mexico’s Espanola Valley.

According to the criminal complaint, on July 5, 2011, New Mexico State Police officers executed a search at Munoz-Duran’s residence in the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, in Rio Arriba County. During the search, the officers found over 14 ounces of cocaine in Munoz-Duran’s basement. In addition, officers found narcotics trafficking paraphernalia and firearms ammunition on Munoz-Duran’s property.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Espanola Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and Immigration Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark T. Baker.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.