CAMDEN – A member of a Camden drug-trafficking organization pleaded guilty today to distributing significant amounts of illegal drugs in Camden, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials say, Carlos Perez, 46, of Pennsauken, admitted his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that was based on the 500 blocks of Pine Street in Camden.
He pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and powder cocaine.
Twelve other members of the drug-trafficking conspiracy – Ronnie Lopez, Nelson Salcedo, Paul Salcedo, Waldemar Garcia, William Carrillo, Elisa Rivera, Ramon Velez, Naeem Sadler, Jasmin Velez, Jameel Byng, Kaliel Johnson, and David Velez – previously have pleaded guilty in this case. The charges against six other defendants remain pending according to officials.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Members of the drug-trafficking organization sold heroin, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and fentanyl – in and around Camden.
An investigation led by the FBI used surveillance tactics, confidential informants, consensual recordings, over 40 controlled drug purchases, record checks, a GPS vehicle tracker, and several court-authorized wiretaps to uncover the operations of the Camden drug-trafficking organization.
The count to which Perez pleaded guilty carries a mandatory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. His sentencing is scheduled for May 4.