ICE investigation nets 2 sentences for men’s roles in operating fentanyl drug mill

NEWARK, N.J. – An investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement resulted in the sentencings of a Pennsylvania man and a Dominican national for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute bulk quantities of fentanyl into northern New Jersey communities.

Emmanuel F. Almonte Mejia, 40, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 60 months, Feb. 27 and Hector Luiz De La Cruz Nunez, 32, was sentenced to 60 months, Feb. 5 by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Both men and co-conspirator, Loanny F. Duran Hiciano, 37, previously plead guilty for their roles in a Philadelphia area drug mill.

“Last month’s sentencings are a testament to HSI Newark’s commitment to protect the public from lethal drugs and the plague of the fentanyl crisis threatening the health of our communities,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “I’d like to thank ICE HSI Philadelphia and the New Jersey State Police for their support with this investigation. We stand together with our local law enforcement partners to combat the illegal distribution of narcotics that lead to overdoses and loss of life.”

According to the investigation, in February 2022, law enforcement learned the defendants were using a private residence in the Philadelphia area to operate a large-scale fentanyl production for redistribution. On March 8, 2022, law enforcement officers observed Nunez exit the mill carrying a large, weighted bag which he placed in a clandestine compartment hidden inside of his private vehicle. Nunez then departed in the vehicle and left the Philadelphia area before proceeding onward into New Jersey. Law enforcement agents stopped Nunez’s vehicle in Union, New Jersey and discovered four large, wrapped bricks each of which contained approximately 100 individual packages of fentanyl, for a total of 400 individual packages, which Nunez stated were destined to be distributed to individuals located in northern New Jersey.

In total, law enforcement recovered nearly six kilograms of fentanyl which was produced in the mill.

In addition to the prison term, Mejia and Nunez were sentenced to three years of supervised release. Hiciano is awaiting sentencing.