Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Eddie Ruiz has been charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance after law enforcement discovered over 15 kilograms of cocaine in a hidden compartment of his vehicle. The announcement was made by Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office.
Ruiz was arrested on August 29, 2025, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker in Manhattan federal court the following day.
“As alleged, Eddie Ruiz was transporting over 15 kilograms of cocaine in a hidden compartment in his specially modified vehicle,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Sadly, drug trafficking involves a vast, sophisticated, international network full of players who are motivated by profit and have no regard for the lives they ruin. New Yorkers want that network broken and the players taken off the streets. Together with our law enforcement partners, the women and men of the Southern District of New York will do everything in our power to fight drug trafficking on behalf of New Yorkers.”
“An authorized vehicle search revealed Eddie Ruiz allegedly possessed significant quantities of cocaine seemingly packaged for distribution that were hidden in storage compartments in the vehicle,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia. “Ruiz’s alleged intentions to introduce addictive narcotics to our neighborhoods greatly jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of those residents. During Operation Summer Heat, the FBI will continue to apprehend and interrupt any criminal who seeks to supply lethal substances to our communities.”
According to allegations detailed in court documents, Ruiz was stopped by state law enforcement near Mamakating, Sullivan County for multiple traffic violations on August 29. After officers noticed suspicious behavior during the stop, a drug-detecting canine indicated narcotics were present inside the car. A roadside search led officers to find a concealed compartment or "trap" within the trunk containing what appeared to be bricks of narcotics.
The car was transported to a secure location where officers fully opened the compartment and found 15 tightly wrapped packages weighing about one kilogram each; field tests identified them as cocaine.
Ruiz is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and could result in up to life imprisonment if convicted.
Sentencing guidelines are set by Congress but final sentencing decisions rest with the judge presiding over the case.
Jay Clayton commended efforts by both federal agents from the FBI as well as members from New York State Police Troop F Community Stabilization Unit and Troop K Community Stabilization Unit.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmi Schickler from the White Plains Division.
The charges against Ruiz are accusations at this stage; he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
