United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEWARK, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson and Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Rachael A. Honig announced an Arizona man was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and for possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Jose Manuel Ramos Lemus, 51, a citizen of Mexico residing in Arizona, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Judge Cecchi imposed the sentence today by videoconference.

On July 6, 2019, Ramos Lemus arrived at the Jersey Gardens Mall to meet with a confidential source (CS). In the parking lot of the mall, Lemus assured the CS that he had five kilograms of China White heroin for distribution. After leaving the vehicle, Ramos Lemus returned with a duffle bag containing five kilograms of fentanyl and was arrested.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Ramos Lemus to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent Susan A. Gibson, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

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