Pablo Tabares-Martinez, a member of the La Nueva Familia Michoacana drug cartel, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison. He was convicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Tabares-Martinez was arrested in Guatemala and extradited to the United States.
“The successful extradition and prosecution of Tabares-Martinez reflect my office’s commitment to eliminating dangerous cartels that seek to introduce drugs into our community,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “This case also sends a strong message to cartel members who transport deadly drugs destined for the Northern District of Georgia: we will find you and bring you here to face justice.”
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, commented on the investigation’s success: “DEA remains focused on keeping America safe by removing dangerous drugs from our communities and bringing criminals to justice.”
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, stated: “The extradition and conviction of Pablo Tabares-Martinez, a key member of the La Nueva Familia Michoacana cartel, is a direct result of the unwavering dedication of HSI and our law enforcement partners to eradicate these dangerous criminal organizations from our society.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, Tabares-Martinez orchestrated drug transactions involving methamphetamine and cocaine between Mexico, Colombia, and Atlanta. His arrest followed an inspection trip he made to Guatemala related to cocaine trafficking.
Chief United States District Judge Leigh Martin May imposed a ten-year sentence on Tabares-Martinez, followed by five years of supervised release after his guilty plea earlier this year.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with assistance from Guatemalan law enforcement. Assistant United States Attorneys Bethany L. Rupert and Laurel B. Milam prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at dismantling major drug trafficking organizations through collaborative efforts among multiple agencies.
For more information about drug dangers visit www.justthinktwice.gov or contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185.
