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Sunday, May 26, 2013 | 2:33 a.m.

Posted: 2:32 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, 2011

Former Columbus mayor's brother pleads guilty to marijuana trafficking

COLUMBUS, N.M. —

The brother of a former border mayor ousted for gun smuggling pleaded guilty to trafficking marijuana.

Gilbert S. Espinoza, relative of former Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza, was arrested March 26, after Border Patrol agents found 114 pounds of marijuana hidden in his gas tank.

 Gilbert Espinoza entered his plea Thursday in federal court.

 Eddie Espinoza was 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.

He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.

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