El Paso Standard

An investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has led to the sentencing of two individuals involved in a fentanyl distribution operation affecting northern New Jersey. Emmanuel F. Almonte Mejia, aged 40 from Philadelphia, and Hector Luiz De La Cruz Nunez, aged 32, have each received a 60-month prison sentence for their participation in the conspiracy.

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey handed down these sentences on February 27 and February 5, respectively. Both men had previously pleaded guilty alongside co-conspirator Loanny F. Duran Hiciano, aged 37, who is still awaiting sentencing.

"Last month’s sentencings are a testament to HSI Newark’s commitment to protect the public from lethal drugs and the plague of the fentanyl crisis threatening the health of our communities," stated ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. He further expressed gratitude towards ICE HSI Philadelphia and the New Jersey State Police for their support during this investigation.

The investigation revealed that in February 2022, law enforcement identified a private residence in Philadelphia as a site for large-scale fentanyl production intended for redistribution. On March 8, 2022, officers observed Nunez leaving this location with a heavy bag that he placed inside a hidden compartment within his vehicle before heading into New Jersey.

Upon stopping Nunez's vehicle in Union, New Jersey, authorities found four large bricks containing approximately 400 individual packages of fentanyl meant for distribution in northern New Jersey communities. The total amount recovered from the mill was nearly six kilograms of fentanyl.

Alongside their prison terms, Mejia and Nunez were also sentenced to three years of supervised release.