A Colorado man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for drug trafficking following a traffic stop on Interstate 25 within the Kewa Pueblo reservation. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that Juan Hugo Lugo, aged 29, received a sentence of 228 months with no possibility of parole under the federal system.
Court documents reveal that on June 14, 2023, a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) K9 Officer observed Lugo speeding and closely following other vehicles near mile marker 250 on Interstate 25. During the traffic stop, the officer noticed two large storage bins partially covered with T-shirts in the rear cargo area and another bin on the rear passenger seat containing large plastic-wrapped bundles suspected to be methamphetamine. Additionally, a white powdery substance was seen inside Lugo's nostrils.
When questioned in the police vehicle, Lugo admitted to possessing cocaine for personal use and having recently taken a "bump." A probable cause search of his vehicle led to the discovery of multiple plastic-wrapped bundles containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and five brick-shaped packages suspected to contain cocaine. A loaded 9mm Glock 19 firearm was also found in the passenger compartment.
The total seizure amounted to 96.1 kilograms of methamphetamine and 4.9 kilograms of cocaine. Upon his release from prison, Lugo will face five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez announced the sentencing decision. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Raquel Ruiz Velez.