NEWARK, N.J. — A Dominican Republic man has admitted his role in a conspiracy to distribute and transport bulk quantities of fentanyl into northern New Jersey communities from a drug mill located in the Philadelphia area, as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker announced.
Hector Luis de la Cruz Nunez, 32, pleaded guilty July 30 before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. His change of plea was the result of an HSI Newark investigation in coordination with HSI Philadelphia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Police.
“The defendant’s distribution of fentanyl into our communities reflects his blatant disregard for the public’s safety and well-being. At a time when overdose deaths linked to fentanyl are devastating American communities, we acknowledge today’s positive step toward justice, but recognize there is more to be done,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Walker. “HSI Newark is proud to stand alongside HSI Philadelphia, New Jersey State Police and all law enforcement partners in confronting the deadly drug epidemic directly and forcefully.”
Walker credited the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger; HSI Philadelphia, under the direction of acting Special Agent in Charge Katie Bay; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
Two other individuals, Emmanuel F. Almonte Mejia, 39, and Loanny F. Duran Hiciano, 43, were also charged in March 2022 for the same offense. Their cases are pending.
According to the investigation, in February 2022, law enforcement officers learned that a drug-trafficking organization was using a private residence in the Philadelphia area to operate a large-scale fentanyl production and distribution mill from which they were regularly transporting bulk quantities of fentanyl into northern New Jersey communities. On March 8, 2022, law enforcement officers observed Nunez exit the mill carrying a large, weighted bag which he placed in a clandestine compartment hidden inside his private vehicle. Nunez then departed in the vehicle and left the Philadelphia area before proceeding to New Jersey.
Law enforcement agents stopped Nunez’s vehicle in Union and discovered nearly 400 individually wrapped bricks of fentanyl, which Nunez stated were destined to be distributed to individuals located in northern New Jersey.
The two charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl each come with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million.
The charges against Almonte Mejia and Duran Hiciano are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.