Massachusetts man pleads guilty to conspiring to distribute approximately 17 kilos of cocaine bought at newark airport
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
March 8, 2011 |
TRENTON, N.J. – A Worcester, Mass., man admitted today that he traveled to Newark, N.J., to obtain approximately 17 kilos of cocaine that he planned to distribute, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Enrique Nunez, 37, pleaded guilty to an Indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute. Nunez entered his guilty plea this morning before United States District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Nunez admitted that he agreed with his wife, Rosa Nunez, and others to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it. As part of the conspiracy, Rosa and Enrique Nunez traveled from Massachusetts to Newark Liberty International Airport in order to meet with another individual to obtain the cocaine. During the meeting, Rosa Nunez removed approximately $41,000 from a secret compartment in the Nunez’ vehicle. Enrique Nunez then provided this $41,000 as a facilitation payment for approximately 17 kilograms of cocaine. The defendants were arrested at the airport on May 24, 2010, by special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI).
Rosa Nunez pleaded guilty to the same charge on February 25, 2011, and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2011.
The charge carries a minimum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a $4 million fine. Sentencing for Enrique Nunez is scheduled for June 28, 2011.
U.S. Attorney Fishman praised special agents of ICE HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Peter T. Edge in Newark, for their work in the investigation of this case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Cook of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Narcotics/Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Patrick McMahon, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark, N.J.
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of New Jersey.
FEMA is now accepting applications from residents and business owners who sustained losses in Atlantic County, Cape May County, Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County and Union County.
Register online at
www.disasterassistance.gov , by web-enabled mobile device atm.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.
