CAMDEN, N.J. - A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man today admitted that he possessed several kilograms of heroin with the intent to sell, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Eduard Avila Rivas, 33, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 10, 2020, Avila Rivas travelled to Clarksboro, New Jersey, and met with an associate in order to carry out a sale of several kilograms of heroin. Following Avila Rivas’ arrival, law enforcement officers searched his vehicle and seized close to three kilograms of heroin packaged for sale.
The drug trafficking count to which Avila Rivas pleaded guilty is punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and a maximum fine $10 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 22, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Atlantic City Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Cary Shill, and the Gloucester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
