Ricardo Jimenez-Rodriguez, Cocaine and Fentanyl Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2022

A Hazleton man has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for his role in a significant cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation.

Ricardo Jimenez-Rodriguez, 35, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani on April 22, 2022, for possession with the intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Jimenez-Rodriguez was intercepted while driving a tractor trailer in Conyngham, Pennsylvania, on February 23, 2020. Investigators searched the cab of the truck and found a duffel bag containing what laboratory analysis later revealed to be approximately seven kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of fentanyl.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.

This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

Jimenez-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine. The court’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and the need to protect the community from violent crime.

The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of federal, state, and local law enforcement to reducing the flow of illegal narcotics into the community and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Ricardo Jimenez-Rodriguez
Criminal Charges: Possession with the intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine
City and State: Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Exact Date: February 23, 2020 (arrest date)
Sentence or Outcome: 70 months in prison

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