Massachusetts couple sentenced on drug smuggling charges

TRENTON, N.J. — A Massachusetts couple was sentenced Wednesday to more than seven years in prison for traveling to Newark, N.J., to obtain and distribute approximately 17 kilos of cocaine. This sentence is the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Enrique Nunez, 37, and his wife, Rosa, 47, were also ordered to serve five years of supervised release upon their release from federal prison. In addition, they both must pay a $2,000 fine.

The couple was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport in May 2010. According to court records, they traveled from their home in Worcester, Mass., to Newark to meet an individual to obtain the cocaine. During the meeting, Rosa Nunez removed approximately $41,000 from a secret compartment in their vehicle as payment for the cocaine.

"If you smuggle illegal drugs into the country, you are on notice that HSI will track you down and bring you to justice," said Andrew McLees, acting special agent in charge of HSI in Newark. "All of our law enforcement agencies are working together to keep our communities safe and drug-free."

HSI was assisted in this investigation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department and the Newark Police Department.