Brother Of Arrested Columbus Mayor Also Facing Charges

The brother of a southern New Mexico mayor who faces gun smuggling charges has been arrested on marijuana charges.

A federal magistrate in Las Cruces denied bond Wednesday for Gilbert Espinoza on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

A criminal complaint says Border Patrol agents who stopped him Saturday on Interstate 25 found 113 pounds of marijuana in the gas tank.

Espinoza was turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos says Espinoza is Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza’s brother.

Eddie Espinoza was among a dozen people accused by federal authorities of participating in a scheme to illegally buy guns in the U.S. and smuggle them to Mexico. The Columbus police chief, Angelo I. Vega, and village trustee Blas Gutierrez also are among those facing federal charges. They are accused of participating in a scheme to buy weapons –including AK-47s– to smuggle to Mexico. The investigation lasted 14 months.

Gutierrez’s wife, sister and cousin also face charges.

Vega has been suspended without pay and is scheduled to appear before a federal judge Thursday.

All have pleaded not guilty.