BY RITA COOK / Freelance Writer
Body
WAXAHACHIE – A drug trafficker arrested in Red Oak in 2023 was sentenced to 99 years in prison last week in Ellis County.
Che-De-Aztlan Martinez, 46 from Austin, was convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and sentenced by a jury to 99 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the maximum fine of $250,000.
Martinez was arrested on Feb. 3, 2023, when Red Oak Police Department stopped a Dodge Challenger for a traffic violation.
Arresting officers identified Martinez as the passenger of the stopped vehicle, and the driver as Eric Mancera.
After smelling the overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, officers located two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in a bag located in the back seat.
Neither individual claimed knowledge of the cocaine.
A release from the Ellis County DA’s office explained, “Further investigation led Red Oak Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division to conduct a forensic analysis of both individuals’ cell phones.
The contents of Mr. Martinez’s cell phone confirmed that he worked in a multiparty drug trafficking organization that transported hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl throughout the country.
In addition to transporting large quantities of drugs, Martinez would arrange large sums of money to be wired to international accounts in Central America and the Mexican State of Michoacan.”
Mancera entered a plea agreement in 2024 and received 30 years prison for possession with intent to deliver.
Martinez rejected all plea offers and requested a jury trial. Martinez had never been sentenced to prison before, but his criminal history included convictions for possession of a felony amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, and burglary of a habitation.
“Texas has long stood on the front lines of combatting organized drug trafficking for a majority of the United States,” said lead prosecutor Garett Smith.
“Today’s verdict sends a clear message that Ellis County will not tolerate drug traffickers who exploit and destroy our community for profit.”
