Dominican National Sentenced to Five Years for Operating Fentanyl Mill

The defendant played a key role in bulk fentanyl operations stretching from Philadelphia to North Jersey.

NORTH JERSEY – A Dominican Republic national was sentenced to 60 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and transport bulk quantities of fentanyl from a Philadelphia-area “drug mill” into communities across northern New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced. Hector Luiz De La Cruz Nunez, 32, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute and possess fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Drug Mill and Traffic Stop

According to court records and statements made during the proceedings:

Early 2022: Nunez and co-conspirators allegedly operated a private residence in the Philadelphia region functioning as a “drug mill.” This location facilitated the production and packaging of bulk fentanyl for redistribution.

March 2022: Law enforcement officers conducted a car stop, which led to the discovery of nearly six kilograms of fentanyl packaged into roughly 400 individual bricks. The contraband was hidden in a concealed compartment within the vehicle Nunez was driving.

Additional Sentencing Details

Along with the 60-month prison term, U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden imposed three years of supervised release. Nunez’s co-conspirators, Emmanuel F. Almonte Mejia and Loanny F. Duran Hiciano, have pleaded guilty to fentanyl conspiracy charges and are awaiting sentencing.

Investigation and Prosecution

Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Newark and Philadelphia, as well as the New Jersey State Police, for their efforts, which culminated in Nunez’s arrest and conviction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent D. Romano of the Criminal Division in Newark prosecuted the case.

As with all criminal matters, Nunez’s codefendants remain presumed innocent in other proceedings unless and until proven guilty. Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid, and its distribution poses severe risks to public health and safety, prompting vigorous law enforcement and prosecutorial measures.