Two Men Sentenced for Roles in Narcotics Distribution Offense

NEWARK, N.J. – Two men were sentenced to federal prison terms for possessing a large quantity of cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

Jose Reyes, 60, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced by videoconference before Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson to 57 months in prison. Ramon Fabian-Pena, aka “Rafael,” 60, of Passaic County, New Jersey, was sentenced by Judge Wolfson on April 21, 2021, to 30 months in prison.

Reyes and Fabian-Pena each previously pleaded guilty to an information charging them with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of possession to distribute cocaine.

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

On Jan. 7, 2020, Reyes traveled from New York to Passaic, New Jersey, to oversee the delivery of approximately six kilograms of cocaine. At the direction of Reyes, Fabian-Pena took possession of the narcotics from another individual. Law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance of the narcotics transaction and recovered a bag containing approximately six kilograms of cocaine. A lawful search of messages contained on Reyes’ cell phone revealed that Reyes coordinated the narcotics transaction.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Wolfson sentenced each defendant to three years of supervised release. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. She also thanked members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hamilton Township Police Department for their assistance.

This investigation was conducted by a DEA New Jersey Task Force, led by the New Jersey State Police, and composed of DEA special agents and officers from various county and local police departments. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.