NEWARK, NJ – A California man has been charged with allegedly conspiring to distribute approximately 114 kilograms of cocaine in Hunterdon County according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.
Angel Alfonso Maldonado, 25, of Long Beach was charged with one count of conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. He appeared Monday in Newark federal court and was detained, Carpenito said.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, law enforcement officers in the area of Clinton Township, New Jersey, observed a tractor-trailer pull off I-78 onto the shoulder of the highway. Maldonado, who is the owner of the tractor-trailer, appeared nervous when law enforcement approached.
A certified narcotics detection canine screened the outside of the tractor-trailer and alerted for the presence of narcotics on the side of the cabin of the tractor-trailer, as well as inside the cabin. Law enforcement subsequently searched the cabin and found two hidden compartments. Each hidden compartment contained approximately 57 kilograms of suspected narcotics. The approximately 114 kilograms were plastic wrapped, consistent with narcotics packaging. Law enforcement field-tested some of the kilograms, which tested positive for the presence of cocaine. according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.
The count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, and a $10 million fine, Carpenito said.
