Three New Jersey Men Indicted For Their Roles In Drug Trafficking Organization

NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury in the District of New Jersey returned a 12-count indictment against three New Jersey men yesterday for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in Newark, U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced.

George Lopez, 50, of Newark, New Jersey, Reinaldo Cruz, 45, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Joel Hernandez, 28, of Parlin, New Jersey, are each charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.  In addition, George Lopez was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Reinaldo Cruz was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and one count of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.  Finally, Joel Hernandez was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the indictment and other documents previously unsealed in the District of New Jersey, Reinaldo Cruz and Joel Hernandez distributed controlled substances on behalf of the drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) in and around Essex and Union Counties, New Jersey, specifically from several drug distribution locations.  George Lopez, in turn, provided advice and connections regarding sources of supply of controlled substances from jail while he and his wife received cash from the DTO.  Lopez and Cruz are associates of the Latin Kings street gang.

During the investigation, law enforcement intercepted wire and electronic communications, used mobile and fixed surveillance, conducted controlled purchases and seizures of narcotics, and analyzed telephone records. The investigation has revealed that the DTO distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, 5 kilograms of cocaine, and 40 grams of fentanyl.

The methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracy count carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.  The fentanyl conspiracy count and methamphetamine and cocaine possession count against George Lopez each carries a mandatory minimum penalty 5 years in prison, maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine.  The remaining drug possession counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.  The illegal possession of firearms and ammunition counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  The possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime counts each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed. 

U.S. Attorney Giordano credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Chief Harvey A. Barnwell, and the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief Giacomo Sacca, with the investigation leading to the charges.  U.S. Attorney Giordano thanked the Union County Police Department, under the direction of Officer in Charge, Captain John DaSilva, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Amir D. Jones, Hudson County Department of Corrections, under the direction of Director Becky Scott, the Cranford Police Department, under the direction of Chief Matthew R. Nazzaro, the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief George Ricci, the New Jersey State Police SWAT Team, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Juan Mattos Jr., for their assistance.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eli Jacobs of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit and John Mezzanotte of the Economic Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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

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