By: Richard L. Smith
A Bloomfield man has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for his leadership role in a drug trafficking organization responsible for importing and distributing hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl analogues and other controlled substances.
According to information released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice, Michael Action, 51, of Bloomfield, was sentenced to 96 months and 19 days in prison after previously pleading guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and money laundering in federal court in Newark.
Federal prosecutors said the drug trafficking operation operated from approximately January 2014 through September 2020. Authorities said Action and his co-conspirators imported fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, methylone, and ketamine from China through commercial package delivery services and air freight.
Investigators said Action received shipments of the drugs, distributed some in bulk, and delivered others to a trailer in Newark where co-conspirators allegedly pressed fentanyl analogues into counterfeit prescription pills before distributing them.
Prosecutors also said Action conducted financial transactions involving proceeds from the illegal drug operation.
The other leader of the conspiracy, Thomas Padovano, was previously sentenced to 234 months in prison, while co-conspirator William Panzera received a 144-month sentence.
Six additional defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
In addition to his prison term, U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton sentenced Action to supervised release and ordered him to forfeit $5 million in illegal proceeds.