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New Jersey Men Charged in Massive Heroin and Methamphetamine Trafficking Plot
Two California men, Gabriel Acosta Villa, 29, of Lake Forest, and Oscar Perez Jr., 23, of Santa Ana, were arrested in Mercer County, New Jersey, with over 50 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and nine kilograms of heroin.
According to federal authorities, Acosta Villa and Perez Jr. appeared today in Trenton federal court, where they were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.
The investigation, led by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cherry Hill, and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, revealed that Acosta Villa and Perez Jr. planned to sell the illicit substances in the Trenton area.
On June 17, 2018, law enforcement officers received information about the planned sale and set up surveillance near a Robbinsville restaurant, where they observed Acosta Villa walking through the parking lot with two large bags containing 51.31 pounds of crystal methamphetamine.
After detaining Acosta Villa, officers searched the area and discovered Perez Jr. walking alone near a nearby hardware store, where a large white tractor trailer was parked with the engine still running. A search of the tractor’s cab uncovered 9.5 kilograms of heroin.
The defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the special agents of HSI Cherry Hill and the DEA’s New Jersey Division with the investigation, and thanked officers of the N.J. State Police for their assistance.
The charges against Acosta Villa and Perez Jr. are mere accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Lorber will represent the government in the case.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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