Bismarck, ND – A Bismarck woman is facing federal drug charges after authorities allegedly discovered nearly 29 pounds of methamphetamine in a vehicle during a traffic stop last month. Charice Figuieredo, 43, has been charged with conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances—charges that carry maximum penalties of life in prison. The conspiracy charge comes with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, while the possession charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years.
Figuieredo was initially charged on November 15 in Burleigh County with felony conspiracy to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, specifically more than 50 grams of meth. However, those charges were dismissed on December 19, and a federal case was opened against her the following day. Figuieredo is currently being held in federal detention and is scheduled for a hearing on December 23.
The investigation began with a traffic stop on November 12, when Figuieredo was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 46-year-old Kenneth Ramos, who owns the car. During the stop on Highway 6 in Morton County, law enforcement officials discovered three sealed metal tubes containing a total of nearly 29 pounds of methamphetamine. Both Figuieredo and Ramos were arrested at the scene.
According to court documents, Figuieredo and Ramos were living together at a Bismarck residence, which came under scrutiny by the Metro Area Narcotics Task Force in October. A confidential informant allegedly made controlled drug purchases from Figuieredo at the residence, leading to further investigation. Figuieredo later admitted to selling meth, which she received from Ramos as part of a “side hustle.” Investigators claim that Figuieredo estimated distributing about two pounds of meth per month for the past year.
In his case, Ramos was charged immediately in federal court after the traffic stop and is being held in detention pending trial. Law enforcement had been tracking Ramos after learning that his vehicle had traveled from Bismarck to California in late October. Authorities obtained a warrant to track his phone, which revealed his return to North Dakota on November 10, prompting the subsequent traffic stop.
Figuieredo, in interviews with investigators, reportedly told authorities that while she was aware of meth being brought into Bismarck, the October trip to California marked the first time she knew Ramos was personally transporting drugs. Court documents also describe her as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the case against Ramos.
The seizure of such a large quantity of meth highlights the scale of the drug operation authorities believe Figuieredo and Ramos were involved in. The investigation is ongoing, and both individuals face serious consequences if convicted of the federal charges.
