NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A 45-year-old New Jersey man was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison Friday for his role in trafficking large quantities of heroin into New Jersey, officials said.
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The Watchung man, William T. Bouza, was caught in February 2019 after arranging for a vehicle equipped with a secret compartment, or “trap,” storing 15 kilograms of heroin to be shipped from California to New Jersey, according to court documents.
After law enforcement intercepted the vehicle shipment and seized the drugs, Bouza was identified as the intended recipient. A subsequent investigation revealed that Bouza was also storing and processing drugs for street-level distribution throughout Essex County, according to authorities.
More than 1,000 packages, or “bricks,” of heroin, each having about 50 individual doses, were later found in one of Bouza’s stash-house. In total, officers seized over 18 kilograms of heroin from Bouza.
“By targeting heroin and fentanyl supply sources, [Homeland Security Investigations] is preventing these dangerous drugs from reaching the street,” said HSI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard W. Reinhold. “We will continue to work closely with our partners to dismantle these drug trafficking networks."
On top of the prison sentence, Bouza was also fined $25,000 and given five years of post-release supervision.
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