North Bergen and Newark Men Charged in Cocaine and Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

Newark, New Jersey – Two men from the Garden State have been charged with possession with intent to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 35, of Newark, and Hector Martinez, 31, of North Bergen, are accused of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute the drugs. Gonzalez is also charged with being a previously convicted felon in possession of three firearms and ammunition.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 19, 2022, Gonzalez and Martinez allegedly conspired to distribute the drugs and were arrested shortly after arriving at an agreed-upon location in Kearny to complete the sale. 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. Gonzalez had previously been convicted in New Jersey Superior Court 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. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2009.

The charge 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 prison, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by special agents of the FBI under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark and officers with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II. The Newark Police Department also provided assistance. The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Camila A. Garces of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.