A North Bergen man was one of two charged with conspiring to sell cocaine and fentanyl at an undisclosed location in Kearny on Monday, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 35, of Newark, and Hector Martinez, 31, of North Bergen, are both charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, Sellinger said in a statement.
Gonzalez is also charged with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of three firearms and ammunition.
They had their initial appearances by videoconference yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jessica S. Allen and were then detained.
On December 19th, Gonzalez and Martinez conspired to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl and were arrested shortly after they arrived at an agreed-upon location in Kearny to complete the sale.
After their arrests, a search of Gonzalez’s home and an apartment also uncovered two loaded firearms, an unloaded firearm, ammunition, drug packaging materials, and suspected heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and Xanax pills.
Gonzalez had previously been convicted Morris County Superior Court of first-degree drug distribution, second degree weapons possession during a controlled substance offense, and second degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and was sentenced in 2009 to 30 years in prison.
The count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and fine of up to $5 million.
The felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, and officers with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Newark Police Department for their assistance.
That nigga is my dad hoe 🖕🏽 – Joysaiah Sanchez