Firearms & Narcotics Charges For Man Arrested In East Brunswick

NEWARK, NJ — A Camden County man who was arrested in East Brunswick Monday by officers from the Drug Enforcement Agencies, has been charged with possession of drugs and ammunition, authorities said.

Manuel A. Quinones, 47, of Pennsauken, New Jersey, was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Quinones appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel on Feb. 1 and was detained. According to reports, Quinones was sitting in his vehicle in an East Brunswick parking lot, when police approached him, but he tried to drive away.

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

On Jan. 31, law enforcement officers searched Quinones’ vehicle in East Brunswick and recovered approximately 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills and approximately seven pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine.

During a search of Quinones’ residence, officers recovered additional illegal drugs, two firearms, ammunition, a high-capacity drum magazine, and a bulletproof vest. Quinones has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, including a controlled substance offense.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and a $10 million fine, Sellinger said.

Possession of ammunition charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, while possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000, Sellinger said.

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