East Orange Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Possession

A 41-year-old East Orange resident has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possessing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with intent to distribute, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Ibraheem Muhammad previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to three charges: possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court records, Muhammad was arrested on May 9, 2022, after law enforcement observed him leaving an East Orange apartment and engaging in a suspected drug transaction. Officers recovered multiple envelopes of heroin and keys to the apartment. A search of the residence uncovered heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, packaging materials, approximately $14,000 in cash, a loaded Girsan 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and additional ammunition.

Along with the 10-year prison sentence, Muhammad was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the East Orange Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Farhana C. Melo and Aja Espinosa of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.