Second Defendant in Largest Methamphetamine Seizure in New Jersey History Admits to Drug Distribution Conspiracy

CAMDEN, N.J. - A Mexican national admitted yesterday to conspiring to distribute over 260 pounds of methamphetamine into New Jersey-the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the state's history-U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Carlos H. Cordero-Gutierrez, 54, of Juarez City, Mexico, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court to a one-count Information charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In April 2026, Cordero-Gutierrez picked up a shipment containing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine in a tractor-trailer truck in Texas for delivery to New Jersey. Cordero-Gutierrez drove the truck to New Jersey, arriving on April 28, 2026. After Cordero-Gutierrez brought the truck to a pre-arranged delivery location, law enforcement officers arrested Cordero-Gutierrez and another co-conspirator, Marcos Cesar Acosta. Officers seized three black storage boxes, one duffel bag, and a garbage bag from the truck cab, all of which contained methamphetamine. Collectively, the seized methamphetamine from the truck weighed over 260 pounds.

The conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Sentencing is scheduled for March 23, 2027.

Acosta previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on August 5, 2026 before Judge Williams. Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2026.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) MOPOD Enforcement Group 11 and the DEA Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James, for the investigation leading to the guilty plea. He also thanked the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, and IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, for their assistance in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

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Defense counsel:

Marcos Cesar Acosta: Margaret M. Grasso, Esq.

Carlos H. Cordero-Gutierrez: James P. Maguire, Esq., Office of the Federal Public Defender.