Two Charged With Trafficking 260 Pounds of Meth to New Jersey

"Two men are facing charges after they were accused of trafficking 260 pounds of methamphetamine to New Jersey by truck, federal prosecutors announced on Tuesday. Marcos Cesar Acosta, 47, of Chicago, and Carlos H. Cordero-Gutierrez, 53, of Mexico, were both arrested on April 28. They were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, with up to life in prison as a maximum possible sentence, along with a fine of up to $10 million, according to the Justice Department."

"By preventing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine from hitting the streets, this historic seizure has made New Jersey a safer place, Robert Frazer, U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, said in a statement. The prosecutors say it was the largest such seizure on record in the state. The authorities started to investigate a California-based drug trafficking organization this February, according to a criminal complaint in United States District Court for the District of New Jersey written by Nicholas Jentz, a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration."

"While investigating the California operation, the authorities determined that Mr. Acosta was a member of the organization and that Mr. Cordero-Gutierrez was a truck driver for it, Mr. Jentz wrote. The authorities also accused Mr. Acosta of being associated with the Sinaloa Cartel and of receiving large quantities of drugs from Mexico, according to the criminal complaint. The two men were ordered to be held by a judge."

"According to the authorities, a confidential source on April 27 spoke with Mr. Acosta about a delivery of drugs to New Jersey. Mr. Acosta said he would travel from North Carolina to New Jersey with 120 kilograms of meth, Mr. Jentz wrote."

Marcos Cesar Acosta and Carlos H. Cordero-Gutierrez were arrested April 28 and charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for allegedly trafficking 260 pounds of methamphetamine to New Jersey by truck. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to life, and fines up to $10 million. Federal authorities said the seizure prevented hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine from reaching the streets and described it as the largest such seizure on record in New Jersey. Investigators began looking into a California-based drug trafficking organization in February. They alleged Acosta was a member of the organization and Cordero-Gutierrez was a truck driver. Authorities also alleged Acosta was associated with the Sinaloa Cartel and received large quantities of drugs from Mexico. A confidential source allegedly coordinated a delivery, and Acosta allegedly agreed to travel from North Carolina to New Jersey with 120 kilograms of meth.

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