SHARE

Bergenfield Woman Gets Federal Prison For Moving 4½ Pounds Of Coke From PR

BERGENFIELD, N.J. – A federal judge in Newark sentenced a Bergenfield woman to 37 months in prison Thursday for helping traffic more than 4½ pounds of cocaine from Puerto Rico.

U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman

U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman

Photo Credit: CLIFFVIEW PILOT file photo

Sasha Melendez, 38, admitted last June that she accepted delivery of a mail parcel from Puerto Rico containing roughly two kilograms of cocaine in March 2015.

She'd become a target during an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the DEA, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said at the time.

Melendez admitted last summer that she conspired with co-defendant Ramis Esteves, 33, of New York, to distribute the cocaine.

Estevez previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and awaits sentencing.

Fishman credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and special agents of the DEA for making the case, handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan M. Peck of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi sentenced Melendez to three years of supervised release.

to follow Daily Voice Bergenfield and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE