Dominican Republic Resident Pleads Guilty in NJ Fentanyl Distribution Scheme

Hector Luis de la Cruz Nunez admits role in trafficking bulk fentanyl from Philadelphia to northern New Jersey.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Hector Luis de la Cruz Nunez, 32, a resident of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute and transport large quantities of fentanyl into northern New Jersey. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Nunez entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court.

Nunez was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Two other individuals, Emmanuel F. Almonte Mejia, 39, and Loanny F. Duran Hiciano, 43, were also charged in March 2022 for similar offenses; their cases are still pending.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement discovered in February 2022 that a drug trafficking organization was using a private residence in the Philadelphia area to operate a fentanyl production and distribution mill. The organization transported the drugs to northern New Jersey communities. On March 8, 2022, Nunez was observed leaving the mill with a large, weighted bag, which he placed in a concealed compartment in his vehicle. He was later stopped in Union, New Jersey, where authorities found four large bricks containing approximately 400 individual packages of fentanyl, intended for distribution in northern New Jersey.

Each charge against Nunez carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for December 5, 2024. The charges against Almonte Mejia and Duran Hiciano are accusations, and they remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.