In Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, a man was convicted of illegally transporting 16 pounds of marijuana to New Jersey.

Jurors needed less than a day to deliberate before convicting Yordanis Reyes of bringing 16 pounds of pot to the parking lot of a Chili’s Restaurant at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey. According to prosecutors, Mr. Reyes intended to sell the pot to an undercover detective posing as a buyer.

Alejandro Barcena, Mr. Reyes’ co-defendant, testified at trial that Mr. Reyes took the lead in several drug deals.

After being convicted, Mr. Reyes was sentenced to six (6) years in New Jersey State Prison. He also had his driving privileges in New Jersey suspended for one (1) year after his release from prison.

In New Jersey, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5. The statute classifies the distribution of between five (5) and 25 pounds of marijuana as a second degree crime. Mr. Reyes received a six-year prison sentence, but he could have been sentenced to as many as ten (10) years in state prison.

Prior to testifying, Mr. Barcena had already pleaded guilty to marijuana possession with intent to distribute. As a result of Mr. Barcena’s cooperation, prosecutors are recommending a five-year prison sentence.

To learn more about this case, check out the CliffivewPilot.com article entitled “Trucker Gets Six Years for Trafficking 16 Pounds of Pot to Paramus.“