Two N.J. Men Sentenced in Massive Fentanyl Trafficking Ring That Imported Over a Ton of Deadly Drugs from China

NEWARK, N.J. – Two New Jersey men were sentenced this week for their roles in a sprawling drug trafficking organization that imported fentanyl analogues from China and distributed them in counterfeit pill form throughout Northern New Jersey, federal authorities announced. To date, five defendants have been sentenced to a combined 685 months in prison in the Homeland Security Task Force investigation.

Sean Tighe, 50, of North Haledon, was sentenced Monday to 151 months in prison—more than 12 years—after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl analogue pills and participating in a money laundering conspiracy. According to court documents, from approximately March 2014 to September 2020, Tighe conspired to distribute over nine kilograms of furanyl fentanyl, nine kilograms of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, synthetic cathinones (commonly known as bath salts), including ethylone, and ketamine. He also admitted to laundering funds through five wire payments sent from the United States to China to purchase controlled substances.

The following day, Juan Rodriguez, 51, of Irvington, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison. Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl analogues. Prosecutors said he obtained opioid pills from Tighe and distributed them throughout Northern New Jersey.

The broader conspiracy involved an intricate importation network. Other members placed orders with a source in China and imported kilogram quantities of various controlled substances and analogues into the United States via commercial package delivery services and air freight. The drugs arrived in Newark, where co-conspirators pressed the fentanyl analogue powder into fake prescription pills for bulk sale to consumers and downstream distributors.

Other members of the organization have already received significant prison terms: Thomas Padovano, 52, of Newark, was sentenced to 234 months; William Panzera, 53, of North Haledon, was convicted by a jury and sentenced to 144 months; and Michael Action, 51, of Bloomfield, received 96 months after pleading guilty. Four additional co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, including Bartholomew Padovano, scheduled for July 29.

N.J. Drug Kingpin Gets 19½ Years for Flooding Streets with Hundreds of Kilograms of Fentanyl Analogues

NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man who led a drug trafficking organization responsible for importing hundreds of kilograms of deadly fentanyl analogues from China and laundering more than $300,000 in drug proceeds was sentenced Tuesday to 234 months in federal prison—more than 19 years—followed by five years of supervised release, federal authorities announced.

Thomas Padovano, 52, admitted in court documents that from approximately January 2014 through September 2020, he and other members of the organization conspired to import and distribute vast quantities of controlled substances and analogues, including fentanyl-related substances, methylone, and ketamine. The conspiracy placed orders with a source in China and distributed the drugs in New Jersey both in bulk and as counterfeit pharmaceutical pills pressed to resemble legitimate medications—but containing lethal fentanyl analogues.

Padovano also admitted to engaging in financial transactions designed to conceal the origin and true ownership of more than $300,000 in drug proceeds.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division condemned the operation, stating: “Mr. Padovano led a drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed massive amounts of dangerous opioids in New Jersey, and then he laundered the profits. These illegal narcotics destroy families and wreak havoc in the community. The Criminal Division will actively pursue offenders who distribute such poison in our neighborhoods.”

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey echoed that sentiment: “Today’s sentence sends an important reminder: those who profit from trafficking deadly drugs and laundering the proceeds of their crimes will be held accountable. For years, Padovano helped lead an organization responsible for distributing massive quantities of fentanyl analogues and other dangerous controlled substances in New Jersey. This sentence—nearly twenty years in prison—reflects the devastating harm caused by that conduct and our office’s unwavering commitment to dismantling the organizations that fuel the illegal drug trade.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas of HSI Newark added: “Padovano is behind bars for his direct role in unleashing the deadly scourge of fentanyl across America. This decisive outcome underscores HSI Newark’s unwavering commitment to protecting our communities and our relentless pursuit of justice alongside our law enforcement partners.”

Cleveland Gang Enforcer Gets 12 Years for Peddling Fentanyl, Running Guns for ‘Fully Blooded Felons’

CLEVELAND – A member of the violent Fully Blooded Felons street gang was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in federal prison for his role in a sprawling RICO conspiracy that flooded Northeast Ohio with fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine—and armed the operation with a cache of firearms, federal prosecutors announced.

Jeffrey Lee, 25, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking offenses including fentanyl distribution, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The sentence, handed down in the Northern District of Ohio, marks the latest blow to a gang that has terrorized Cleveland’s east side and beyond since roughly 2012.

“This defendant, now a fully convicted and sentenced felon, will spend the next 12 years in prison because of his drug dealing and firearm crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The long sentence handed down by the court underscores the danger that drugs and guns bring to a community, and the seriousness of crimes like this. The Criminal Division will continue to seek lengthy sentences for gang members who commit drug and gun crimes.”

According to court documents and Lee’s own admissions, the Fully Blooded Felons operate not only in Cleveland but also in Akron, Youngstown, and within Ohio’s prison system. The gang’s hierarchical structure includes a “Commission” tasked with maintaining discipline and deciding how the enterprise generates illicit revenue. Members are bound by strict rules, including “omerta”—a code of silence—and must memorize the “Fully Five,” a set of commandments that demand obedience to Commission orders. Those who fail face physical punishment.

To support its drug trade, the gang maintained two stash houses at a local apartment complex, along with an adjacent open-air drug market. During court-authorized searches, law enforcement seized nearly three-quarters of a pound of fentanyl, plus cocaine, methamphetamine, and seven firearms.

Lee served as an enforcer for the gang, regularly distributing fentanyl and other narcotics. In one text message, he asked a fellow member where a .380 caliber handgun was hidden. When police raided one of the trap houses, Lee was present; officers found more than a half-pound of fentanyl, along with methamphetamine, cocaine, and packaging materials consistent with drug trafficking.

U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio praised the investigation, stating: “We will not tolerate violent drug traffickers like Mr. Lee who devastate our communities and hurt people with the drugs they peddle. We want to acknowledge the investigators with the Cleveland FBI and the Cleveland Division of Police for their successful efforts which helped our prosecutors put this dangerous criminal behind bars.”

FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Joshua DelManzo added: “We are steadfast in our resolve to bring justice to the families whose loved ones have been impacted by the actions of Jeffrey Lee and the Fully Blooded Felons. For too long, these gang members have poisoned our communities through their illicit drug, gun, and criminal activities. This case and subsequent sentencing highlights the power of partnership, combining federal and local resources to identify gang members and drug traffickers leading to well-investigated cases.”