Two New Yorkers Indicted on Heroin Charges

PITTSBURGH - Two residents of New York have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned on Oct. 11, named:

• Habys Omar Meran, 30; and
• Juan Wilquin Hernandez-Bourdier, 35.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on Jan. 26, 2016 the defendants possessed one kilogram or more of heroin with the intent to distribute it, and were part of a conspiracy to distribute the heroin.

The law provides for maximum total sentence ranging from not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, and a fine of $20,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of each defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt, of the Violent Crimes Section, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.