By: Richard L. Smith
Two New Jersey men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking organization that imported fentanyl analogues from China and distributed counterfeit pills throughout Northern New Jersey, according to information released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
Federal prosecutors said the criminal organization imported more than a metric ton of fentanyl-related substances and other illegal drugs into the United States between 2014 and 2020.
Members of the conspiracy allegedly sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to suppliers in China through wire transfers and Bitcoin payments.
Sean Tighe, 50, of North Haledon, was sentenced on July 7 to 151 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl analogue pills and participating in a money laundering conspiracy.
According to court documents, Tighe admitted that from approximately March 2014 through September 2020, he conspired to distribute more than nine kilograms each of furanyl fentanyl and 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, along with synthetic cathinones, commonly known as bath salts, and ketamine.
Prosecutors also said Tighe helped launder drug proceeds by arranging wire payments from the United States to China to purchase controlled substances and controlled substance analogues.
On July 8, Juan Rodriguez, 51, of Irvington, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl analogues.
In addition to their prison terms, both men were sentenced to five years of supervised release.
According to federal authorities, members of the organization imported kilogram quantities of fentanyl analogues, ketamine, methylone, and other controlled substances from China through commercial package delivery services and air freight.
Once the shipments arrived in Newark, conspirators allegedly used a trailer to press the drug powders into counterfeit prescription pills before distributing them to customers and other drug traffickers throughout the region.
Five members of the organization have now been sentenced to a combined total of 685 months in federal prison.
Those previously sentenced include Thomas Padovano of Newark, who received 234 months; William Panzera of North Haledon, who was sentenced to 144 months after being convicted by a jury; and Michael Action of Bloomfield, who received 96 months after pleading guilty.
Four additional defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Bartholomew Padovano is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, while sentencing dates for the remaining defendants have not yet been announced.