By: Yuritza Arroyo
Federal officials announced that a Hudson County man today admitted that he conspired to possess fentanyl with the intent to distribute.
Federal authorities say Miguel Polanco, 31, of Union City, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In May 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted a package shipped from Mexico City, Mexico, to Polanco at his apartment.
Court documents state that an inspection of the package revealed that it contained a substance that tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
Prior to receiving the package, Polanco received a video from a conspirator explaining how to properly remove the bags of fentanyl concealed inside the package to minimize the damage to its contents.
According to authorities, Polanco also engaged in multiple conversations with conspirators where he learned of the quantity of fentanyl that would be sent to him as well as instructions on where to deliver the package after he received it.
In exchange for receiving and transporting the package containing fentanyl, Polanco was to be paid.
The conspiracy charge carries a statutory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain, whichever is greater.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 28.