A Union City man has pleaded guilty to trying to sell fentanyl, with a package from Mexico intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in May 2021, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Miguel Polanco, 31, of Union City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
In May 2021, CBP agents intercepted a package being shipped from Mexico City, Mexico, to Polanco’s apartment. Inspection of the package revealed that it contained a substance that tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
Prior to receiving the package, Polanco received a video from a conspirator explaining how to properly remove the bags of fentanyl concealed inside the package to minimize the damage to its contents.
Additionally, he engaged in multiple conversations with conspirators where he learned of the quantity of fentanyl that would be sent to him as well as instruction on where to deliver the package after he received it.
In exchange for receiving and transporting the package containing fentanyl, Polanco was expecting to be paid.
The conspiracy charge carries a statutory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain, whichever is greater.
His sentencing is currently scheduled for June 28th.
