Mexican national admits intent to distribute cocaine following ICE investigation

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Mexican national admitted to trafficking cocaine and illegally reentering the United States after previously sustaining an aggravated felony conviction, following an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark.

Anastacio Santiago Chaparro, aka Arnoldo Urquidez, 41, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegal reentry by a convicted felon, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey announced on Feb. 7.

“Our collaboration with the DEA in this investigation thwarted this criminal alien’s plan to introduce a harmful amount of cocaine into New Jersey’s neighborhoods,” said ICE HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “We are committed to keeping our communities safe by bringing drug traffickers to justice and holding them accountable for the violent crimes that often come with their illicit business.”

According to the investigation, on Nov. 6, 2023, Santiago Chaparro was caught by law enforcement transporting a backpack that contained over 10 kilograms of cocaine. Santiago Chaparro admitted that the cocaine was intended for distribution. Additionally, Santiago Chaparro had been deported from the United States to Mexico three times and previously sustained a conviction for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, an aggravated felony.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)