Illegal alien sentenced in NM to 10 years for methamphetamine trafficking

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Mexican national illegally in the United States was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking, and illegally using a firearm.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Sergio Saenz-Amaya, 30, will be turned over to ICE custody after he completes his prison sentence and placed in removal proceedings.

Saenz-Amaya and his co-defendant, Manuel Adrian Aldarette, 32, also a Mexican national illegally in the United States, were arrested on a criminal complaint in October 2012 after they engaged in a drug trafficking transaction with an HSI confidential informant.

Saenz-Amaya and Aldarette were indicted and charged with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Saenz-Amaya also was charged with using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On Aug. 1, 2013, Saenz-Amaya pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Aldarette pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute Aug. 12. He remains in federal custody pending a sentencing hearing. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Albuquerque Police Department assisted with this investigation.