A Somerset man was caught with 26 kilograms of heroin and cocaine after a traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Richard Vasquez Rodriguez, 35, of Somerset, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing heroin and cocaine with the intent to distribute in the Jersey City area, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
On January 16, 2014, Rodriguez was driving a 2005 Blue Chevrolet Tahoe on the New Jersey Turnpike headed towards Jersey City when law enforcement officers pulled him over and consented to a search of the vehicle.
During the search, an air tank containing 19 kilograms of cocaine and 7 kilograms of heroin was found in the back of the vehicle. Rodriguez admitted to transporting the air tank with the intent to distribute the cocaine and heroin.
Both distribution offenses to which Rodriguez pleaded guilty carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski, and officers of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Joseph R. Fuentes, superintendent of the state police, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.
Defense counsel for Rodriguez is Dennis D.S. McAlevy Esq., of Union City, New Jersey. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacques S. Pierre, Joyce M. Malliet, and Francisco J. Navarro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
RELATED: Somerset Distributor Guilty in Fentanyl Death Ring
RELATED: Hartland Fentanyl Dealer Gets 14 Years
Related Federal Cases
- Heroin and Cocaine Kingpin Linked to 50+ Kilograms of Cocaine, 1 Kilogram of Heroin, Guilty Plea · Maryland
- Heroin Trafficker Caught in Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania
- Wesley McDaniels Gets 22+ Years for Heroin Flood · Pennsylvania
- Roanoke Heroin Dealer Gets 7 Years · New Jersey
- Edwin Alamo Jr. Admits to 22kg Heroin Haul in NJ · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking