A California man today pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to transport 141 kilograms of narcotics from California to New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials said Hector Lucas-Ramos, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and five kilograms of cocaine.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Aug. 27, 2017, Lucas-Ramos was arrested in Essex County while he and Abraham Castro, 33, of San Diego, California, were driving a tractor trailer.
After the tractor trailer was seen committing several traffic violations, law enforcement officers conducted a motor vehicle stop. During a subsequent search of the tractor trailer, law enforcement officers recovered five large duffle bags containing a total of 56 kilograms of heroin and 85 kilograms of cocaine.
According to authorities, Lucas-Ramos admitted today that he and Castro drove the tractor trailer from California to deliver the narcotics to other conspirators in New Jersey.
The conspiracy charge to which Lucas-Ramos pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jun. 27th.
Authorities said Castro pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on Nov. 14, 2017, and awaits sentencing.
This case is being conducted under the auspices of the OCDETF. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.