New York truck driver and SUV driver charged with conspiracy in international cocaine trafficking scheme

Two New York men are facing charges related to the large-scale distribution of cocaine and facing possible life imprisonment.

Eddie Velez-Pena, 33, of Yonkers, New York, and Robin Medina-Fabian, 38, of the Bronx, New York, have been charged with conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

According to court documents:

On or June 25, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of a tractor-trailer driven by Velez-Pena and believed to contain narcotics for distribution. They observed the tractor-trailer drive through New Jersey and stop for a period of time in Hampton, New Jersey.  Velez-Pena drove through New Jersey to the border of Yonkers and the Bronx, New York, where he met with Medina-Fabian. Velez-Pena transferred multiple duffle bags from his tractor-trailer to Medina-Fabian, who then placed them in the SUV. 

Law enforcement officers then conducted a stop of Medina-Fabian’s SUV and observed in plain view several duffel bags matching those provided by Velez-Pena. Subsequent to receiving consent to search the SUV from Medina-Fabian, law enforcement recovered several duffle bags containing approximately 110 kilograms of cocaine and drug ledger sheets.

If convicted, the two men face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine.