Enough Drugs To Kill 10 Million In NJ Rest Stop Fentanyl Bust

Law enforcement authorities say they busted a large-scale fentanyl operation that had enough drugs to kill 10 million people – more than the entire New Jersey population.

And it was uncovered at a rest stop.

Two men were charged this week after the seizure of more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl that they tried to transport into New Jersey. Both made their initial court appearances in Newark federal court on Monday, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced in a press release.

The Drug Enforcement Administration says a dosage of 2 milligrams of fentanyl is typically considered lethal, and the seizure was the equivalent of 20 million milligrams.

Luis Aponte, 48, of Hesperia, Calif. and Denny Diaz, 29, of Philadelphia were charged by complaint with one count conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, according to the release.

They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Dickson in Newark federal court on Monday. The defendants were detained without bail.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Aponte allegedly drove a truck to a rest stop in Bloomsbury on March 1. The release did not specify the rest stop.

The next day, he and Diaz met in a car and, once inside, Aponte gave Diaz approximately 7 kilograms of fentanyl.

Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested the two men and searched Aponte’s truck. They found an additional 13 kilograms of fentanyl and 5 kilograms of heroin inside, accoding to the release.

The count with which the defendants are charged carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million, according to the release.

This case is being investigated by the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprising agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department and New York State Police.

Carpenito credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, New York Division; New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill; and NY State Police Acting Superintendent Keith M. Corlett with the investigation leading to the arrests.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Macurdy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

The seizure comes roughly two weeks after federal authorities said they stopped a drug operation that was prepared to supply New Jersey with enough drugs to kill 2.4 million – roughly one-third of the state’s population.

Read more: NJ Fentanyl Bust: Enough Doses To Kill An Estimated 2.4 Million

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