Man Sentenced To One Year In Prison For Trying To Smuggle Cocaine Sewn Into His Vest

NEWARK, N.J. – A resident of the Dominican Republic was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for allegedly trying to smuggle into the United States approximately three kilograms of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jose Manuel Jimenez Jimenez, 47, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to one count of illegal importation of more than 500 grams of cocaine. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

Jimenez arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During a screening, law enforcement officers discovered the cocaine sewn into the vest Jimenez was wearing.

In addition to the prison term, Jimenez is subject to deportation following his sentence.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael; and officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Troy Miller, director of Field Operations, New York Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Candace Hom Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark