NEWARK, N.J. - A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was arrested and charged with the conspiring to distribute narcotics after he purchased a large quantity of fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
Ruddy Manuel Santos Corcino, 32, of Passaic, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. He appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel and was released on home confinement.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On May 4, 2021, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance in the area of West 183rd Street and University Avenue in Bronx, New York, and observed Corcino arrive in a white Acura SUV and take a wad of currency and approach the front driver side of a black Toyota Camry. Law enforcement officers then observed Corcino hand the driver of the Camry (Individual-3) the wad of currency in exchange for a heavy-weighted reusable Shoprite bag. Law enforcement officers approached the Camry, detained both Corcino and Individual-3, and retrieved the bag from Corcino. The bag contained approximately three kilograms of suspected narcotics. Law enforcement officers also recovered the currency from Individual-3 and determined that Individual-3 was in possession of approximately $4,000. A field-test confirmed that the suspected narcotics in the bag contained a detectable amount of fentanyl.
The count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charge.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
