NEWARK, N.J. – A Paterson, New Jersey, man was indicted today for conspiring to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Officials say Mr. Rolfi Ferreira-Cruz, 25, was charged by indictment with one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a quantity of cocaine (Count One), possessing with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a quantity of cocaine (Count Two), and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Count Three). Ferreira-Cruz is currently in custody in the Dominican Republic for attempted murder in a June 9, 2019, shooting.
Counts One and Two carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine. Count Three carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, as well officers of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik, with the investigation leading to the charge.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Gould of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations of the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.