Three Men Admit Roles In Passaic County Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

NEWARK, N.J. – Three New Jersey men today admitted their roles in a Passaic County cocaine distribution conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Narcisco Ramirez, 46, of Passaic, Kiuny Perez, 42, of Rockaway Township, and Victor Pimentel, 44, of Parsippany, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to separate criminal informations charging them with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

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

The defendants were part of a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine in and around Passaic County. In November 2017, law enforcement officers observed Ramirez and Perez meet at a location in Passaic and exchange a package containing cocaine. Later that day, officers stopped Ramirez’s car and found one kilogram of cocaine on the front seat and two additional kilograms on his right leg and waist band. A search of Ramirez’s residence revealed another two kilograms of cocaine and $89,000 in cash. Law enforcement officers also stopped Perez’s vehicle and found cocaine in a hidden compartment underneath the dashboard. Law enforcement officers also discovered $297,350 in cash in Perez’s residence. A search of Pimentel’s residence revealed over 20 kilograms of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and $322,000 in cash.

The drug conspiracy charge to which the defendants pleaded guilty carries a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. Sentencing for Ramirez is scheduled for June 17, 2020; for Pimentel, July 22, 2020; and for Perez, June 16, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty pleas. He also thanked the Clifton Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan M. Peck of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel:
Perez: Anthony J. Iacullo Esq., Nutley, New Jersey
Pimentel: Lee Ginsberg Esq., New York
Ramirez: Lorraine Gauli-Rufo Esq., Verona, New Jersey