ALBUQUERQUE –U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez and Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso announced the filing of narcotics trafficking and firearms charges against David Krowner, 42, of Estancia, N.M. The charges arising out of a June 17, 2016 seizure of 20.7 kilograms (45.54 pounds) of methamphetamine, 1.8 kilograms (3.96 pounds) of heroin, and three firearms.
Krowner made his initial appearance this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute and using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking crimes. Krowner remains in custody pending a preliminary hearing and detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for tomorrow.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation into Krowner began on June 1, 2016 when HSI received information that Krowner was transporting large quantities of illegal drugs into the Albuquerque area. The complaint alleges that Krowner was arrested in Albuquerque on June 17, 2016. After a narcotics canine allegedly detected the odor of illegal drugs in Krowner’s vehicle, agents searched the vehicle and discovered a large bin allegedly containing 20.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.8 kilograms of heroin, two bags of unidentified pills, seven packages of steroids, two handguns, a shotgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The agents also allegedly seized approximately $21,750.00 from the vehicle and another $4,500.00 from a pocket of Krowner’s pants.
If convicted of the narcotics trafficking charges in the complaint, Krowner faces a statutory mandatory minimum of ten years and a maximum of life in prison. If convicted of the firearms charges, Krowner faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison that must be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the narcotics charges.
Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
The case was investigated by HSI’s Border Enforcement and Security Taskforce, which includes officers of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), with assistance from APD’s Central Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Kraehe is prosecuting the case as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible. Because New Mexico’s violent crime rates, on a per capita basis, are amongst the highest in the nation, New Mexico’s law enforcement community is collaborating to target repeat offenders from counties with the highest violent crime rates, including Bernalillo County, under this initiative.