Link: State of New Jersey.
TRENTON – Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that three men involved in a South Jersey drug network, including one of the leaders of the ring, pleaded guilty today to buying and selling large quantities of marijuana and cocaine.
The charges resulted from a cooperative investigation by the New Jersey State Police and the Pennsylvania State Police into interstate smuggling of drugs. The investigation led to the seizure of 63 pounds of marijuana last year.
Joel G. Juarez, 40, aka Enrique H. Penna, of Pilesgrove, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Michael R. Connor in Atlantic County to first-degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy, and second-degree attempted possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, charges contained in a May 12 state grand jury indictment. Juarez also pleaded guilty to a criminal accusation charging him with first-degree maintaining a marijuana production facility. Under the plea agreement, Juarez faces a sentence of 15 years in state prison with 40 months of parole ineligibility. Judge Connor scheduled his sentencing for Nov. 13.
