By: Richard L. Smith
A Mexican national has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in transporting more than 260 pounds of methamphetamine into New Jersey, a shipment authorities describe as the largest methamphetamine seizure in state history.
According to a statement released by U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer, Carlos H. Cordero-Gutierrez, 54, of Juarez City, Mexico, entered his guilty plea Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden.
Federal prosecutors said Cordero-Gutierrez picked up a tractor-trailer carrying hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine in Texas in April 2026 and drove the shipment to New Jersey.
Authorities said the truck arrived in New Jersey on April 28 and was taken to a previously arranged delivery location, where law enforcement officers arrested Cordero-Gutierrez and another individual identified as Marcos Cesar Acosta.
During a search of the truck's cab, investigators recovered three black storage boxes, a duffel bag and a garbage bag containing methamphetamine.
The combined weight of the seized drugs exceeded 260 pounds.
Federal officials described the discovery as a record-setting methamphetamine seizure in New Jersey.
Cordero-Gutierrez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10 million.
His sentencing is scheduled for March 23, 2027.