Essex County Man Sentenced to 143 Months in Prison for Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Firearms Charges

NEWARK, N.J. - An Essex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 143 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute over five kilograms of fentanyl and four kilograms of cocaine, and possessing six firearms as a convicted felon, DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz, and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Carlos Santiago, 50, of East Orange, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Judge Farbiarz imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

On Oct. 24, 2022, federal agents encountered Santiago as he was moving controlled substances from a storage unit to his vehicle in Newark. Santiago was arrested after law enforcement located several kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine, as well as one firearm, in Santiago's storage unit. Law enforcement searched Santiago's residence in East Orange and located several additional kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine, and five other firearms. Santiago had previously been convicted, in New Jersey Superior Court, Essex County, of a drug offense and resisting arrest.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Farbiarz sentenced Santiago to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark, and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Greco, with the investigation leading to today's sentencing.

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