NEW JERSEY – Two New York men were charged Monday with conspiring to distribute approximately 110 kilograms of cocaine as part of an international drug trafficking organization, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Eddie Velez-Pena, 33, of Yonkers and Robin Medina-Fabian, 38, of the Bronx are charged with conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. Both were scheduled to appear by videoconference Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor, Sellinger said.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, on or about June 25 law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of a tractor-trailer driven by Velez-Pena and believed to contain narcotics for distribution.
Officers observed the tractor-trailer drive through New Jersey and stop for a period of time at a rest area in
or around Hampton Borough, Hunterdon County.
Velez-Pena drove through New Jersey to the border of Yonkers and the Bronx, New York, where he met with Medina-Fabian. Velez-Pena transferred multiple duffle bags from his tractor-trailer to Medina-Fabian, who then placed them in the SUV.
Law enforcement officers then conducted a stop of Medina-Fabian’s SUV and observed in plain view several duffel bags matching those provided by Velez-Pena. Subsequent to receiving consent to search the SUV from Medina-Fabian, law enforcement recovered several duffle bags containing approximately 110 kilograms of cocaine and drug ledger sheets.
The count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine.
