A Mexican national has admitted to trafficking cocaine and illegally reentering the United States after being previously convicted of an aggravated felony. This development follows an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark.
Anastacio Santiago Chaparro, also known as Arnoldo Urquidez, 41, pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegal reentry by a convicted felon. The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey made this announcement on February 7.
"Our collaboration with the DEA in this investigation thwarted this criminal alien’s plan to introduce a harmful amount of cocaine into New Jersey’s neighborhoods," stated ICE HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. "We are committed to keeping our communities safe by bringing drug traffickers to justice and holding them accountable for the violent crimes that often come with their illicit business."
The investigation revealed that on November 6, 2023, Santiago Chaparro was apprehended while transporting a backpack containing over 10 kilograms of cocaine. He admitted that the cocaine was intended for distribution. Furthermore, Santiago Chaparro had been deported from the United States to Mexico three times and had a prior conviction for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, classified as an aggravated felony.
