DEA Nets Largest Meth Seizure Ever In New Jersey

DEC 2 -- (Newark, NJ) Gerard P. McAleer, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division, Prosecutor James Avigliano from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, along with Sheriff Jerry Speziale from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that the DEA Task Force had seized a record 165 pounds of crystal methamphetamine worth $11 million and arrested 1 defendant. Crystal methamphetamine, known as “ice,” is a high-purity form of methamphetamine and is usually produced in super labs in Mexico.

SAC Gerard P. McAleer (speaking at podium) joins with Passaic County law enforcement officials to announce the seizure.	165 pounds of suspected Crystal Meth seized in NJ.

On December 1, 2008, Alberto Olguin, was arrested by the DEA New Jersey Task Force and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a CDS (Controlled Dangerous Substance). The investigation identified a Mexican based international narcotic organization that utilized members to transport narcotics and illegal drugs into the United States destined for New Jersey and surrounding areas. During the task force investigation, Olguin was identified as a member of this Mexican drug organization. Information revealed that Olguin was in charge of this transport to New Jersey. This investigation is ongoing.

Olguin was arrested on Route 80 East bound in West Paterson, New Jersey; Olguin was driving a tractor trailer full of produce in which plastic food storage containers of the crystal methamphetamine were concealed by commingling it with the produce. Concealment in vehicles is the most commonly encountered method for smuggling Mexican methamphetamine into the United States. It is often packaged in plastic zipper bags or plastic food storage containers.