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William T. Bouza, 45, was arrested Tuesday and charged with conspiracy to distribute over one kilogram of heroin as well as obstructing and impeding federal law enforcement officers.
Authorities say Bouza arranged to have more than 16 kilos of heroin shipped from California to Union County in February. The drugs were concealed in a special compartment known as a trap.
Law enforcement intercepted the vehicle and then waited for Bouza at the prearranged rendezvous point. Bouza was spotted at the location but left without taking the vehicle, authorities said.
Last month, authorities say they learned of a number of stash houses in Essex County where Bouza was storing and processing heroin for street distribution. When law enforcement attempted to arrest him, Bouza allegedly tried to ram a law enforcement vehicle.
Authorities later found 1,000 "bricks" of heroin, each containing 50 doses of the drug, in one of Bouza's stash houses. Another stash house contained $400,000 in cash.
The conspiracy to distribute heroin count carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine. The obstructing and impeding federal law enforcement officers charge carries a maximum penalty of eight years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
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