NEWARK, N.J. – Five men who were arrested in Passaic County, New Jersey, with a combined 55 kilograms of heroin and cocaine in their possession appeared in Newark federal court today, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Edwin Alamo Jr., 21, of Bronx, New York, Sauro D. Estevez Figueredo, 48, of Miami, Florida, Emmanuel Gonzalez, 31, of Bronx, New York, Alberto Mora, 52, of Morriston, Florida, and Porfirio Peralta-Nunez, 37, of Jersey City, New Jersey, are each charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin. Figueredo and Mora are also charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
All five defendants appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III and were remanded into custody.
According to the complaint filed today:
On Feb. 5, 2016, law enforcement observed a tractor trailer, driven by Figueredo and Mora, parked at an intersection near a store in Clifton, New Jersey. That afternoon, Gonzalez and Alamo drove to the tractor trailer and left with a suitcase given to them by Mora. Later, Peralta-Nunez arrived at the tractor trailer with two empty bags and left shortly afterwards with the bags filled.
Subsequent traffic stops later revealed 22 kilograms of heroin in Gonzalez and Alamo’s possession and 13 kilograms of heroin in Peralta-Nunez’s possession. Law enforcement also found 20 kilograms of cocaine still remaining at the tractor trailer, resulting in a total of 55 kilograms of seized narcotics. All five defendants were arrested that day.
The drug distribution conspiracy charges each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Williams and Mary Toscano, Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defense Counsel:
Alamo: Chester Keller Esq., First Assistant Public Defender, Newark
Figueredo: Michael D’Alessi Esq.
Gonzalez: James Murphy Esq., Princeton, New Jersey
Mora: David Schafer Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
Peralta-Nunez: Brian Neary., Esq., Hackensack, New Jersey