NEWARK, N.J. – Two individuals have been charged in connection with the possession and distribution of fentanyl. One of them also faces an additional charge related to the possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, announced U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna.
Pablo Suruy Hernandez, 41, from Guatemala, and Giovanni Guzman, 41, from El Salvador, were charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Hernandez is additionally charged with one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Both Hernandez and Guzman appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court on February 10, 2025, where they were detained.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officials learned in January 2025 that Hernandez was involved in narcotics trafficking in New Jersey. On January 16, 2025, Hernandez met with a confidential source to discuss purchasing firearms, fentanyl, and cocaine. On January 21, 2025, Hernandez sold a defaced firearm to the source. On February 7, 2025, Hernandez and Guzman met the source to sell 100,000 fentanyl pills. During a lawful search of Hernandez’s residence, authorities seized approximately 11 kilograms of fentanyl and $65,000 in cash.
The fentanyl distribution and conspiracy charges carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a $10 million fine. The firearm possession charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna commended the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division’s Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino, along with the efforts of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force Group T-42, which includes DEA agents and officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York State Police (NYSP).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ingrid Eicher from the Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.