Guyanese National Sentenced to 60 Months for Cocaine Importation Scheme

Dennis Edwards, known as "Death," receives a five-year prison term and additional supervised release for conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S.

Morristown, NJ — Dennis Edwards, a 38-year-old Guyanese citizen also known by the alias "Death," has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for his role in a drug importation conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

The Details of the Crime

According to court documents and proceedings, Edwards was part of a criminal conspiracy in 2012 that sought to import over 20 kilograms of cocaine into the United States via a cruise ship. Edwards had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to import cocaine. He was arrested on November 14, 2022, upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport after being deported from the Dominican Republic.

In addition to the five-year prison term, Judge Hillman also sentenced Edwards to three years of supervised release, intensifying the severity of the penalty.

Multi-Agency Effort

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kurtz, and U.S. Marshals Service, led by U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos, Jr., as well as officers from Customs and Border Protection, New York Field Office, led by Director of Field Operations Francis J. Russo. He also expressed gratitude to officials in the Dominican Republic and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Criminal Division in Newark represents the government's case against Edwards.

While the conviction concludes this particular case, it highlights the ongoing challenges that law enforcement agencies face in combating international drug trafficking. This is an issue that not only affects the broader United States but also has local implications, given the arrest took place at Newark Liberty International Airport—a portal for international travel affecting the Morris County area. Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the proper authorities.