Two Albuquerque Men Charged with Federal Drug Trafficking Offenses

ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Eric Castañeda, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, announced today that Isaiah Anthony Aragon and Miguel Antonio Ramirez were charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Aragon and Ramirez, both 22 and of Albuquerque, will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the criminal complaint, on Dec. 6, 2023, Ramirez allegedly agreed to sell 30,000 fentanyl pills to an undercover detective from the Albuquerque Police Department for $30,000. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted surveillance on Ramirez throughout the day leading up to the schedule transaction, following him to a stash house operated by Aragon. There the agents observed Aragon entering Ramirez’s car carrying a bag which agents believed carried fentanyl pills. At that time, agents attempted to take both men into custody. Ramirez was arrested without incident. Aragon attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. Agents recovered the bag from the car and determined it contained a large amount of suspected fentanyl pills weighing approximately 3388.2 gross grams, or about 7.5 pounds.

DEA agents also executed a federal search and seizure warrant which resulted in the seizure of numerous vehicles and approximately $60,000.00 cash.

A criminal complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted on the current charges, Aragon and Ramirez each face not less than 10 years and up to life in prison.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department.  

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