Hobbs man sentenced to 10 years in prison for meth trafficking
A Hobbs man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly forming part of a meth trafficking and money laundering operation.
Jeremy W. Gough, 41, and seven other residents of Lea County, including four Mexican nationals, were charged in a 20-count indictment filed in July of 2017, alleging a significant drug trafficking operation being conducted in southeastern New Mexico.
The indictment was the result of a multi-agency investigation into a drug trafficking organization allegedly led by Jose Raul Mendivil-Berrelleza, a Mexican national who resided in Hobbs, that allegedly imported meth and cocaine into Lea County from Mexico.
During the investigation, law enforcement allegedly seized approximately 26 pounds of meth, 3.2 pounds of cocaine, a firearm and $19,000 in cash.
In a guilty plea, Gough admitted that from November 2016 to June 2017, he conspired with others to distribute meth in Hobbs by having meth delivered to his residence, which Gough would then deliver to other individuals in Hobbs. Gough also admitted to possessing approximately 152 grams of meth which he intended to sell.
Mendivil-Berrelleza, the alleged ring leader, is facing two charges of participating in a conspiracy to traffic meth and cocaine and participating in an international money-laundering conspiracy.
Four of Gough’s co-defendants have entered guilty pleas and are pending sentencing hearings. Two co-defendants entered not guilty pleas and are pending trial.
