By: Tracie Carter
A Maryland resident has been arrested and charged with trafficking firearms into New Jersey following an investigation that spanned several states, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Luiz Vargas, also known as “El Biggie,” 25, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of trafficking in firearms.
He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court on August 11, 2025, and was ordered detained.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, law enforcement began investigating Vargas in January 2025 for allegedly moving firearms into New Jersey from Maryland and Texas.
During the probe, a confidential source working under law enforcement supervision conducted four controlled purchases that resulted in the recovery of eight firearms, two semiautomatic rifles and six handguns.
Authorities said two of the handguns were reported stolen out of Texas and Colorado, while the semiautomatic rifles lacked serial numbers or identifiable markings.
Investigators also revealed that Vargas allegedly provided cocaine to the confidential source after failing to deliver on a promised firearms sale.
Court records indicate Vargas has never held a federal license to deal or manufacture firearms.
The firearms trafficking charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.