A Maryland resident has been charged with firearms trafficking following an investigation in Ocean County, New Jersey. Luiz Vargas, also known as “El Biggie,” 25, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, faces one count of trafficking in firearms. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court on August 11, 2025, and was ordered detained.
Court documents state that law enforcement began investigating Vargas in January 2025 for bringing firearms into New Jersey from states including Texas and Maryland. A confidential source working under law enforcement supervision participated in four controlled firearm purchases from Vargas. These operations resulted in the seizure of eight firearms: two semiautomatic rifles without serial numbers or identifiable markings and six handguns. Two handguns were reported stolen from Texas and Colorado.
On at least one occasion when a promised gun sale did not occur, Vargas provided cocaine to the confidential source instead. Authorities noted that Vargas does not have a federal license to deal or manufacture firearms.
If convicted, Vargas faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine as high as $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), led by Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, for their work on the case. She also acknowledged assistance from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark (Field Office Director Ruben Perez), Howell Township Police Department (Chief John Storrow), Ocean County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy), Asbury Park Police Department (Deputy Chief Guy Thompson), Freehold Borough Police Department (Chief Chris Colaner), Lakewood Police Department (Chief Gregory H. Meyer), Little Silver Police Department (Chief Paul Halpin), Marlboro Police Department (Chief Peter Pezzullo), Middletown Police Department (Chief R. Craig Weber), Monroe Police Department (Chief Griffin N. Banos) and Wall Police Department (Chief Sean O’Halloran).
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick is representing the government.
“The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
Defense counsel is Andrea Aldana of Federal Public Defenders.
