NEWARK, N.J. – Three New York men have been charged for their participation in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl after they were arrested at a heroin mill in Bronx, New York, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 30, Jose Antonio Vasquez Pena a/k/a “Tono,” 46, and Dilson Vasquez Genao, 22, all of Bronx, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 100 grams of more of suspected heroin and fentanyl. Maldonado appeared March 6, 2019, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson, and was detained. Pena and Genao appeared last week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer and were detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In early February 2019, law enforcement officers learned Maldonado used an apartment in Bronx to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in distribution quantities. Pena lived at the apartment in order to safeguard the narcotics and narcotics supplies. Maldonado employed approximately five workers at a time to assist in preparing the heroin and fentanyl for distribution, which Maldonado then distributed to customers in New Jersey.
On February 25, 2019, law enforcement officers saw Maldonado drive to a retail store and emerge with several full shopping bags and then drove to the apartment. Genoa came out of the building and met with Maldonado, who got out of his vehicle and gave Genoa the plastic shopping bags. Through its investigation, law enforcement later learned that the plastic shopping bags contained materials to package heroin and fentanyl.
Genoa went back inside the building and was followed by law enforcement office3rs, who watched as Genoa entered Maldonado’s apartment with a key, still carrying the shopping bags. On Feb. 27, 2019, law enforcement searched Maldonado’s apartment and found several individuals inside, including Maldonado, Pena, and Genao. The three defendants attempted to escape out a window in the bedroom but were apprehended and arrested by law enforcement officers waiting outside.
Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine.
