Two men from Santa Fe have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a drug trafficking operation that used social media to market fentanyl and methamphetamine. The Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) and the FBI began investigating this organization in the fall of 2020, leading to the identification of Mario Guizar-Anchondo and Werni Lopez-Perez.
Court documents reveal that SFPD officers encountered both individuals twice in December 2021. On December 4, police responded to suspected drug activity involving Lopez-Perez in a white Ford F-150 truck. A search revealed a loaded firearm, over $18,000 in cash, 635 grams of methamphetamine, 40 grams of fentanyl pills, and drug paraphernalia.
Later that month on December 30, officers stopped the same vehicle with Guizar-Anchondo driving and Lopez-Perez as a passenger. This search uncovered approximately 1,730 grams of methamphetamine, 32,000 fentanyl pills, five loaded firearms, and additional drug paraphernalia.
Despite ongoing investigations at the time, both men continued advertising fentanyl pills on social media. Their posts featured images similar to drugs found during vehicle searches.
Both Guizar-Anchondo and Lopez-Perez pleaded guilty to charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Lopez-Perez received an 80-month prison sentence while Guizar-Anchondo was sentenced to 108 months. Following their release from prison terms, they will undergo three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez along with Raul Bujanda from the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office announced these sentences today. The investigation was conducted by the Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with support from SFPD. The United States Attorney’s Office is handling prosecution duties for this case.
There is no parole available within the federal system.