A Venezuelan national has been charged with possessing over two kilograms of black tar heroin with the intent to distribute, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. Reinaldo Rafael Belisario Mendoza, 29, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court on May 29, 2025, where he was detained.
According to case documents and court statements, law enforcement officials received information in May 2025 that Mendoza was involved in narcotics trafficking in New Jersey. On May 28, Mendoza reportedly met with a prospective buyer to sell the heroin stored in his vehicle’s trunk. He traveled to the meeting accompanied by an adult and two minor family members.
The charge against Mendoza carries significant penalties, including a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum potential sentence of life imprisonment along with a $10 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division for their investigative work leading to Mendoza’s arrest. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Ecker from the Criminal Division in Newark.
It is important to note that the charges and allegations are accusations at this stage, and Mendoza is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Defense counsel for Mendoza is Adalgiza Nunez, Esq.
