United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEWARK, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, Susan A. Gibson, and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, announced a Massachusetts man was charged today with conspiring to sell five kilograms of heroin at the Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Jose Manuel M. Ramos Lemus, 50, a citizen of Mexico residing in Boston, was charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. Lemus appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court.

On July 6, 2019, Lemus arrived at the Jersey Gardens Mall to meet with a confidential source. In the parking lot of the mall, Lemus assured the CS that he had 5 kilograms of China White heroin for distribution. After leaving the vehicle, Lemus returned with a duffle bag containing five kilograms of heroin and was arrested at the scene.

The count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the DEA’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of SAC Gibson, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

19-27                                                                    ###