Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jose Carrero, age 36, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty today to possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
On November 4, 2024, DEA agents arrested Carrero after observing him place three kilograms of cocaine into the trunk of his car. He was carrying $1,704 in cash, and in a search of his home law enforcement found an additional $70,000 in drug proceeds. As a condition of his plea agreement, Carrero has agreed not to contest the administrative forfeiture of that money.
Carrero faces at least 5 and up to 40 years in prison; a fine of up to $5 million; and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The DEA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting.