New York Man Charged with Fentanyl Distribution

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man was indicted today on a charge of narcotics distribution after he sold a kilogram of fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement agent in Fort Lee, New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Jose Sanchez Matos, 30, is charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl. Matos was previously charged by complaint in August 2019.

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

Law enforcement officers learned Matos was offering to sell a kilogram of fentanyl for $40,000. On Aug. 27, 2019, Matos met with a confidential law enforcement source, agreed to the sale, and provided the source with a package of fentanyl weighing approximately one kilogram.

The count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charge. She also thanked officers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Patrick J. Callahan, for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Sulkowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Cybercrimes Unit in Newark.