By: Yuritza Arroyo
Federal authorities announced today that two New Jersey men have been charged with possession with intent to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and around 100 grams of fentanyl.
According to federal officials, Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 35, of Newark, and Hector Martinez, 31, of North Bergen are charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl.
Gonzalez is also charged with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of three firearms and ammunition.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Dec. 19, Gonzalez and Martinez conspired to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl. They were arrested shortly after they arrived at an agreed-upon location in Kearny to complete the sale.
Court documents state after their arrests, a search of Gonzalez’s home and an apartment also uncovered two loaded firearms, an unloaded firearm, ammunition, drug packaging materials, and suspected heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and Xanax pills.
Authorities say Gonzalez had previously been convicted, in New Jersey Superior Court, Morris County, of first-degree drug distribution, second-degree weapons possession during a controlled substance offense, and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and was sentenced in 2009 to 30 years in prison.
The count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in jail, and a fine of up to $5 million.
The felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.