By KRWG News
Las Cruces, NM – LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRWG) The brother of a disgraced former border mayor who was involved in a gun-smuggling ring has pleaded guilty to trafficking marijuana.
Gilbert S. Espinoza entered his plea late last week in federal court.
The Las Cruces Sun-News says he is the brother of former Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza, indicted in March with 11 others on an 84-count federal indictment alleging they were running guns to Mexican drug cartel members. Eddie Espinoza pleaded guilty in July and awaits sentencing.
Gilbert Espinoza was arrested a couple of weeks after his brother after U.S. Border Patrol agents uncovered almost 114 pounds of marijuana hidden in his van's gas tank. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. KRWG