An Essex County man was convicted by a federal jury on July 16 for his role in a significant drug trafficking organization operating in New Jersey, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Samuel Alectus, also known as “Capet,” 37, of Newark, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute the same amount. The trial began on July 13 before United States District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court. Sentencing is scheduled for October 20.
According to documents filed in the case and evidence presented at trial, Alectus was part of a drug trafficking group with substantial operations in New Jersey. On January 27, 2022, he met Heidy Valdez at his apartment in Elizabeth where more than 100 kilograms of cocaine were stored. Valdez placed approximately 21 kilograms into Alectus’ car, which he then drove to an apartment in Linden. There, Valdez carried the drugs inside while Alectus left to buy narcotics packaging materials. Upon returning, both repackaged the cocaine alongside fake kilograms they had made earlier. When they departed from the Linden apartment, they took bags containing about 21 kilograms of real cocaine and around nine fake kilograms with them. Law enforcement later seized bags containing kilograms of cocaine from both vehicles and searched the Linden apartment where they discovered a large hydraulic kilogram press, packaging materials, a digital scale, and kilogram stamps.
Each offense carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, as well as fines up to $10 million.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents and task force officers from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent Towanda R. Thorne-James for their work leading up to this conviction.
The prosecution team included Assistant United States Attorneys Marko Pesce and Jake Nussbaum from Newark’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey prosecutes federal crimes statewide—including narcotics cases—and represents the United States in civil matters; it is part of the Department of Justice with offices located in Newark, Trenton and Camden; employs about 170 attorneys and staff; advances community safety through law enforcement coordination; has alumni who include judges and senators, all according to its official website.