East Brunswick Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Distribution and Illegal Firearm Possession

Hector Riano-Corcuera, a Mexican national, faces mandatory minimum sentence after DEA arrest involving 10 kilograms of cocaine and multiple firearms

A Mexican national residing in East Brunswick pleaded guilty to federal charges of cocaine distribution and unlawful firearm possession by a convicted felon, according to a January 12 announcement by Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

Hector Riano-Corcuera, 33, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court. The charges stem from a June 2025 federal complaint, following Riano-Corcuera’s arrest in connection with a large-scale narcotics transaction and weapons recovery.

According to court documents and statements made during the proceedings, Riano-Corcuera was arrested on June 26, 2025, by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after he sold approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine to another individual. During the attempted arrest, Riano-Corcuera fled on foot before being apprehended. Law enforcement recovered a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm handgun from a bag he was carrying at the time.

A subsequent search of his East Brunswick residence led to the seizure of additional quantities of cocaine, three handguns, two semiautomatic rifles, and assorted ammunition. Riano-Corcuera is a previously convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.

Riano-Corcuera pleaded guilty to a two-count Information charging him with distribution of controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2026.

The drug trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, along with a fine of up to $10 million. The firearm possession charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The investigation involved coordinated efforts from federal, state, and local agencies. DEA agents led the operation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James in Newark. Additional support was provided by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS-Criminal Investigation, and numerous local police departments across Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton is prosecuting the case.