Ice investigation in new jersey leads to conviction of two major fentanyl pill makers

NEWARK, N.J.— A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigation led to the sentencing of two men for their roles in running a fentanyl drug mill that supplied bulk quantities of the lethal opioid to northern New Jersey.

Emmanuel F. Almonte Mejia, 40, of Philadelphia, and Hector Luiz De La Cruz Nunez, 32, each received 60-month prison sentences from the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Both men, along with co-conspirator Loanny F. Duran Hiciano, 37, had previously pleaded guilty to their involvement in the operation.

Authorities uncovered the drug mill in February 2022, when investigators learned the defendants were using a private residence in Philadelphia to produce fentanyl for redistribution. On March 8, 2022, officers observed Nunez leaving the mill with a heavy bag, which he hid in a secret compartment of his vehicle before driving into New Jersey. Law enforcement stopped him in Union, N.J., and found four large wrapped bricks containing approximately 400 individual fentanyl packages intended for northern New Jersey distribution.

“This case highlights our ongoing commitment to protecting the public from lethal drugs,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, crediting HSI Philadelphia and the New Jersey State Police for their assistance.

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