Newark, NJ – A dual citizen of Mexico and the United States has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine across New Jersey and other states.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Edgar Lopez Razo Jr., 30, was sentenced Monday to 104 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz imposed the sentence in federal court in Newark after Lopez Razo previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
Rental properties used to move narcotics
Court filings and statements made during the case showed that Lopez Razo participated in the conspiracy from approximately February 2022 through March 2024. Prosecutors said he and a coconspirator rented a series of short-term properties where they received multi-kilogram shipments of narcotics.
Authorities said the group continually changed delivery locations to avoid law enforcement detection. Investigators determined Lopez Razo and a coconspirator booked at least 27 rental properties throughout New Jersey and other states as part of the trafficking operation.
“The investigation resulted in the seizure of over 31 kilograms of cocaine, over 9 kilograms of fentanyl, and nearly 5 kilograms of heroin,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Homeland Security led investigation
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited special agents with the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas in Newark, with conducting the investigation that led to the charges and conviction.
Federal officials said the prosecution was carried out as part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159. The task force brings together HSI, the FBI, IRS, local law enforcement agencies, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey to investigate and prosecute transnational criminal organizations, drug trafficking networks, human trafficking operations, and other organized criminal activity.
