NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man today admitted participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl from a drug mill in the Bronx to locations in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Daury Contreras Ulerio, 35, a/k/a “Majimbou,” pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. Dilson Vazquez Genao, 23, Eddie Urena Rodriguez, 35, Francisco Mercedes Gil, 31, and Jose Antonio Vazquez Pena, a/k/a “Tono,” 47, also of the Bronx, New York, all have pleaded guilty before Judge Salas to the same charges previously.

Two other individuals – Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 31, and Reimon Genao Rosario, 23 – were indicted on the same charge as Ulerio in August 2019. Their cases are pending.

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

In early February 2019, law enforcement officers learned that Maldonado used an apartment in Bronx to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in distribution quantities. Pena stayed at the apartment in order to safeguard the narcotics and narcotics supplies. Maldonado employed approximately five workers at a time – including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, and Genao – to assist in preparing the heroin and fentanyl for distribution, which Maldonado then distributed to customers in New Jersey.

On Feb. 25, 2019, law enforcement officers saw Maldonado drive to a retail store and emerge with several full shopping bags and then drive to the apartment. Genoa came out of the building and met with Maldonado, who got out of his vehicle and gave Genoa the plastic shopping bags. Through its investigation, law enforcement later learned that the plastic shopping bags contained materials to package heroin and fentanyl.

Genoa went back inside the building and was followed by law enforcement officers, who watched as Genoa entered Maldonado’s apartment with a key, still carrying the shopping bags. On Feb. 27, 2019, law enforcement searched Maldonado’s apartment and found seven individuals inside, including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, Maldonado, Pena, and Genao. All seven defendants attempted to escape out a window, but all but one – Rosario – were apprehended and arrested by law enforcement officers waiting outside. Rosario was arrested at a later date. Law enforcement recovered nearly a kilogram of fentanyl from the apartment, along with materials to grind and package fentanyl for distribution.

Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Sentencing for Ulerio is scheduled for May 27, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the indictment against Maldonado and Rosario are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man today admitted participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl from a drug mill in the Bronx to locations in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jose Antonio Vasquez Pena, a/k/a “Tono,” 47, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. Dilson Vazquez Genao, 23, Eddie Urena Rodriguez, 35, and Francisco Mercedes Gil, 31, also of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty before Judge Salas to the same charges in September 2019.

Three other individuals – Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 31, Daury Contreras Ulerio, 34, and Reimon Genao Rosario, 23 – were indicted on the same charge as Pena in August 2019. Their cases are pending.

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

In early February 2019, law enforcement officers learned that Maldonado used an apartment in Bronx to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in distribution quantities. Pena stayed at the apartment in order to safeguard the narcotics and narcotics supplies. Maldonado employed approximately five workers at a time—including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, and Genao—to assist in preparing the heroin and fentanyl for distribution, which Maldonado then distributed to customers in New Jersey.

On Feb. 25, 2019, law enforcement officers saw Maldonado drive to a retail store and emerge with several full shopping bags and then drive to the apartment. Genoa came out of the building and met with Maldonado, who got out of his vehicle and gave Genoa the plastic shopping bags. Through its investigation, law enforcement later learned that the plastic shopping bags contained materials to package heroin and fentanyl.

Genoa went back inside the building and was followed by law enforcement officers, who watched as Genoa entered Maldonado’s apartment with a key, still carrying the shopping bags. On Feb. 27, 2019, law enforcement searched Maldonado’s apartment and found seven individuals inside, including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, Maldonado, Pena, and Genao. All seven defendants attempted to escape out a window, but all but one – Rosario – were apprehended and arrested by law enforcement officers waiting outside. Rosario was arrested at a later date. Law enforcement recovered nearly a kilogram of fentanyl from the apartment, along with materials to grind and package fentanyl for distribution.

Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for April 27, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defense counsel: Peter Carter Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man today admitted participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl to customers in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Dilson Vasquez Genao, 23, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. Francisco Mercedes Gil, 31, also of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty before Judge Salas to the same charges last week.

Four other individuals – Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 30, Jose Antonio Vasquez Pena a/k/a “Tono,” 46, Daury Contreras Ulerio, 34, and Reimon Genao Rosario, 22 – were indicted on the same charge in August 2019 and were arraigned on Sep. 4, 2019, before Judge Salas. One individual – Eddy Urena Rodriguez, 34 – remains charged by complaint.

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

In early February 2019, law enforcement officers learned that Maldonado used an apartment in the Bronx to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in distribution quantities. Maldonado employed Genao, Gil, Rodriguez, Ulerio, and Rosario, to assist in preparing the heroin and fentanyl for distribution to customers in New Jersey. Pena lived at the apartment in order to safeguard the narcotics and narcotics supplies.

On Feb. 25, 2019, law enforcement officers saw Maldonado drive to a retail store and emerge with several full shopping bags and then drive to the apartment. Genoa came out of the building and met with Maldonado, who got out of his vehicle and gave Genoa the plastic shopping bags. Through its investigation, law enforcement later learned that the plastic shopping bags contained materials to package heroin and fentanyl.

Genoa went back inside the building and was followed by law enforcement officers, who watched as Genoa entered Maldonado’s apartment with a key, still carrying the shopping bags. On Feb. 27, 2019, law enforcement searched Maldonado’s apartment and found seven individuals inside: including Genao, Gil, Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Maldonado, and Pena. All seven defendants attempted to escape out a window in the bedroom. All but one—Rosario—were apprehended and arrested by law enforcement officers waiting outside. Rosario was arrested at a later date.

Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Sentencing for Genao is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2020, and sentencing for Gil is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Senior Trial Counsel Jason S. Gould of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the indictment against Maldonado, Pena, Ulerio and Rosario and complaint against Rodriguez are merely accusations, and those defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defense counsel:

Genao: Edward Kratt Esq., New York

Gil: Keith Oliver Esq., Middletown, New Jersey

Maldonado: Blair Zwillman Esq., Millburn, New Jersey

Ulerio: Perry Primavera Esq., Hackensack, New Jersey

Rosario: James Moriarty Esq., New York

Pena: Peter Carter Esq., Assistant Public Defender, New Jersey

Rodriguez: Ramon Pagan Esq., New York

NEWARK, N.J. – Four men have been charged after they were arrested in New York for their participation in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Eddy Urena Rodriguez, 34, Daury Contreras Ulerio, 34, Reimon Genao Rosario, 22, and Francisco Mercedes Gil, 30, all of Bronx, New York, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 100 grams or more of heroin and fentanyl. Rodriguez appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk and was detained. Ulerio, Rosario, and Gil all appeared last week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion and were detained.

Previously, three other individuals – Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 30, Jose Antonio Vasquez Pena, a/k/a “Tono,” 46, and Dilson Vasquez Genao, 22 – were arrested and detained after appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judges Joseph A. Dickson and Michael A. Hammer.

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

In early February 2019, law enforcement officers learned Maldonado used an apartment in the Bronx to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in quantities for distribution. Pena lived at the apartment in order to safeguard the narcotics and narcotics supplies. Maldonado employed five workers at a time – including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, and Genao – to assist in preparing the heroin and fentanyl for distribution, which Maldonado then distributed to customers in New Jersey.

On Feb. 25, 2019, law enforcement officers saw Maldonado drive to a retail store and emerge with several full shopping bags and then drive to the apartment. Genoa came out of the building and met with Maldonado, who got out of his vehicle and gave Genoa the plastic shopping bags. The plastic shopping bags contained materials to package heroin and fentanyl.

Genoa went back inside the building and was followed by law enforcement officers, who watched as Genoa entered Maldonado’s apartment with a key, still carrying the shopping bags. On Feb. 27, 2019, law enforcement searched Maldonado’s apartment and found seven individuals inside, including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, Maldonado, Pena, and Genao. All seven defendants attempted to escape out a window in the bedroom, and all but one were apprehended and arrested by law enforcement officers waiting outside.

Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – Three New York men have been charged for their participation in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl after they were arrested at a heroin mill in Bronx, New York, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 30, Jose Antonio Vasquez Pena a/k/a “Tono,” 46, and Dilson Vasquez Genao, 22, all of Bronx, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 100 grams of more of suspected heroin and fentanyl. Maldonado appeared March 6, 2019, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson, and was detained. Pena and Genao appeared last week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer and were detained.

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

In early February 2019, law enforcement officers learned Maldonado used an apartment in Bronx to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in distribution quantities. Pena lived at the apartment in order to safeguard the narcotics and narcotics supplies. Maldonado employed approximately five workers at a time to assist in preparing the heroin and fentanyl for distribution, which Maldonado then distributed to customers in New Jersey.

On February 25, 2019, law enforcement officers saw Maldonado drive to a retail store and emerge with several full shopping bags and then drove to the apartment. Genoa came out of the building and met with Maldonado, who got out of his vehicle and gave Genoa the plastic shopping bags. Through its investigation, law enforcement later learned that the plastic shopping bags contained materials to package heroin and fentanyl.

Genoa went back inside the building and was followed by law enforcement office3rs, who watched as Genoa entered Maldonado’s apartment with a key, still carrying the shopping bags. On Feb. 27, 2019, law enforcement searched Maldonado’s apartment and found several individuals inside, including Maldonado, Pena, and Genao. The three defendants attempted to escape out a window in the bedroom but were apprehended and arrested by law enforcement officers waiting outside.

Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.

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

Defense counsel:

Maldonado: Kathleen Theurer Platts Esq., Jersey City, New Jersey

Pena: Peter Carter Esq., Assistant Public Defender, Newark

Genao: Edward Kratt Esq., New York