New York Man Sentenced to Less Than 5 Years in Prison on Fentanyl Charges

Edgar Jesus Avila Alvarado of the Bronx, NY, receives a 59-month prison sentence for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy.

Camden, NJ — Edgar Jesus Avila Alvarado, 46, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 59 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced the sentencing today.

Avila Alvarado previously pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence in Camden federal court.

According to court documents and statements, in July 2022, law enforcement observed Avila Alvarado leaving a New York City residence with a duffle bag and entering a vehicle. Following a lawful stop of the vehicle, officers recovered approximately three kilograms of fentanyl from the bag. Further investigation led to the discovery of an additional four kilograms of fentanyl at Avila Alvarado’s residence in New York City, totaling nearly 7.4 kilograms of fentanyl.

In addition to his prison term, Avila Alvarado was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the investigation to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal organizations. The New York OCDETF Strike Force, housed at the DEA’s New York Division, includes agents and officers from multiple federal, state, and local agencies.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent D. Romano of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark represented the government in this case. For more information about the OCDETF Program, visit justice.gov/OCDETF.