116 pounds of fentanyl and cocaine seized from California trucker in N.J. stop, feds say

A California truck driver was arrested Wednesday in Middlesex County after authorities found him hauling about 116 pounds of fentanyl and cocaine as part of a coast-to-coast drug trafficking network, officials said.

Jose Santos Garcia Guzman is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark. The 43-year-old’s arrest came as part of a probe into drugs being shipped by truck from California.

Investigators surveilled the tractor trailer Guzman was driving and pulled him over in the Keasbey section of Woodbridge, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent said in a criminal complaint.

Guzman gave agents permission to search the truck, which revealed the illicit cargo, according to the court document.

“During his interview with law enforcement, Guzman admitted that he knew that he was transporting narcotics,” the DEA agent said in the complaint. “Guzman also admitted that he had planned to provide the narcotics to conspirators in or around the New Jersey area.”

About 46 kilograms tested positive for cocaine while another seven kilograms were positive for fentanyl, according to the complaint.

The charge carries a possible mandatory minimum 10 year prison term, a possible maximum of life behind bars and a $10 million fine.

Officials did not disclose more details about the drug trafficking investigation, which involved the DEA and New York Strike Force, a unit comprised of state, local and federal law enforcement agents.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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