A North Haledon man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed large quantities of fentanyl analogues and other controlled substances. William Panzera, 53, was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to traffic drugs and international promotional money laundering. U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton imposed the sentence at Newark federal court.
Panzera’s sentencing follows convictions of eight other individuals connected to the case, who are awaiting their own sentences.
Court documents and statements revealed that from January 2014 through September 2020, Panzera and others worked together to import and distribute various illegal drugs—including fentanyl analogues, MDMA, methylone, and ketamine—by placing orders with sources in China. The group distributed these substances throughout New Jersey, sometimes as counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl analogues. Authorities say over a metric ton of fentanyl-related substances and other drugs were brought into the United States during this period. The organization also sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to China via wire transfers and Bitcoin as payment for the narcotics.
In addition to his prison term, Panzera will serve five years of supervised release.
Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello of the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office stated: “Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) – Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.” He also expressed gratitude for assistance from several agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices in New Jersey, New York, Kentucky; HSI Philadelphia; FBI Newark Division; U.S. Postal Inspection Service Newark; IRS-Criminal Investigation; Newark Police Department; and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Hasapidis-Sferra from Newark’s Criminal Division as well as Trial Attorney Stephen Sola from the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS). Financial Investigator Kathryn Montemorra provided investigative support.
The case is being prosecuted jointly by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and MLARS.
