NEWARK, N.J. – A California man has been charged with conspiring to distribute approximately 114 kilograms of cocaine in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Angel Alfonso Maldonado, 25, of Long Beach, California, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court and was detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Law enforcement officers in the area of Clinton Township, New Jersey, observed a tractor-trailer pull off I-78 onto the shoulder of the highway. Maldonado, who is the owner of the tractor-trailer, appeared nervous when law enforcement approached. 

A certified narcotics detection canine screened the outside of the tractor-trailer and alerted for the presence of narcotics on the side of the cabin of the tractor-trailer, as well as inside the cabin. Law enforcement subsequently searched the cabin and found two hidden compartments. Each hidden compartment contained approximately 57 kilograms of suspected narcotics. The approximately 114 kilograms were plastic wrapped, consistent with narcotics packaging. Law enforcement field-tested some of the kilograms, which tested positive for the presence of cocaine.

The count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, and a $10 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the DEA Strike Force including agents and officers of the DEA; the New York City Police Department; the New York State Police; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations; the U. S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Secret Service; the U.S. Marshals Service; New York National Guard; the Clarkstown Police Department; U.S. Coast Guard; Port Washington Police Department; and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, with the investigation leading to today’s charge..

The government is represented by Unit Chief Meredith J. Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Repole of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.