United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CAMDEN, N.J. - -Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division and William E. Fitzpatrick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey announced today a Camden man admitted distributing heroin in Camden.
 
Jose Correa, aka “Ciego,” 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renee M. Bumb in Camden federal court to information charging him with one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin.

Correa admitted selling at least 410 grams of heroin to two cooperating witnesses on five separate dates. The sales took place in Camden County and occurred between October 2015 and February 2016.  He also admitted to possessing with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin on the day that he was arrested.

The drug distribution charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.  Correa’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2017.

This investigation and prosecution is the result of a collaborative law enforcement initiative by the Philadelphia-Camden High-Intensity Drug Trafficking (PCHIDTA), which comprises federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies using a coordinated approach to combat drug trafficking and other crimes.  PCHIDTA initiatives prioritize violent crimes and emphasize disruption of drug trafficking organizations and criminal activity.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski; Delaware River Port Authority, under the direction of Chief John L. Stief; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo; the Camden County Metro Police Department, under the direction of Chief J. Scott Thomson; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Rick Fuentes, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.  He also thanked the Camden County Sheriff’s Department for its assistance.