California Man Admits Role In Cross-Country Conspiracy To Distribute Over Five Kilograms Of Cocaine

NEWARK, N.J. – A Riverside, California, man today pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to transport more than five kilograms of cocaine from California to New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Edwin Garcia Cambero, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

Garcia Cambero was originally charged by complaint on Dec. 13, 2017, with Luis Michel Donascimento, 36, of Perris, California, and Humberto Ramos Cervantes, 33, of Los Angeles.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Nov. 29, 2017, Donascimento allegedly flew from California to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and met with a government informant and two undercover federal agents. During the meeting, Donascimento agreed to sell the agents 20 kilograms of cocaine, as well as 10 AR-15 semiautomatic rifles.

On Dec. 12, 2017, Donascimento allegedly met with the agents at a hotel in California and delivered them 10 AR-15 rifles as promised. Garcia Cambero also attempted to deliver approximately five kilograms of cocaine to the agents, which he had received earlier that day at his residence from Ramos Cervantes.

The conspiracy charge to which Garcia Cambero pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20, 2018.

The charges and allegations against Donascimento and Ramos Cervantes are merely accusations, and they are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. All three defendants have been in custody since their arrest in California on Dec. 13, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and the FBI Riverside, California, Resident Agency, under the direction of Assistant Director in Charge Paul D. Delacourt in Los Angeles, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF)/Narcotics Unit.

Defense counsel: Henry Klingeman Esq., Newark, New Jersey