Passaic County Man Admits Illegally Possessing Cocaine

NEWARK, N.J. - A Passaic County, New Jersey, man today admitted illegally possessing cocaine for distribution, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Luis Cepeda-Capellan, 27, of Paterson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Feb. 26, 2021, law enforcement officers recovered a total of over five kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle he was driving. Cepeda-Capellan admitted possessing the controlled substances with the intent to distribute.

The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, which comprises special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York City Police Department, and New York State Police, with the investigation leading to today's guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea D. Coleman of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.