A California man is facing serious charges after being caught with a large quantity of fentanyl in New Jersey. Timothy Alan Blank, 54, of California, is accused of possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in Bergen County, New Jersey.
According to officials, Blank traveled from Los Angeles, California, to the District of New Jersey in an SUV on March 3, 2024. He was stopped by New Jersey state law enforcement on March 8, 2024, after committing a motor vehicle violation. During the inspection, authorities located approximately 5 kilograms of fentanyl inside the trunk of the SUV.
The fentanyl count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Blank appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and was detained. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent D. Romano of the U.S. Attorney’s Narcotics/Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Unit in Newark.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, with the investigation leading to the charge. He also thanked the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Lee Police Department, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Blank was charged by complaint with one count of knowingly and intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in Bergen County, New Jersey, and elsewhere.
Related Federal Cases
- Nelson Nicholas Nunez-Acosta, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Nebraska 2021 · New York
- Denny Diaz, Fentanyl and Heroin Conspiracy, New Jersey 2020 · New York
- Clifton James Doe, Fentanyl Trafficking, New Jersey 2023 · Alabama
- Ian Dudley, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, New Jersey 2023 · New York
- Jose Manuel Ramos Lemus, Fentanyl Conspiracy, New Jersey 2023 · Idaho
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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