Bergen Man Sentenced To 5 Yrs. In Fentanyl Case

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — An Edgewater man was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison more than three years after authorities found fentanyl, money, and drug-packaging equipment in his apartment, authorities announced.

Jose Colon-Lora, 35, was sentenced Friday by Superior Court Judge Christopher Kazlau. He pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of furanyl fentanyl with intent to distribute, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said.

Fentanyl is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin, and furanyl fentanyl is often more potent than regular fentanyl, Grewal said.

The state recommended a seven-year sentence under a plea agreement. He was also ordered to forfeit more than $732,000 in money seized during the investigation.

Colon-Lora and Jorge Rivera, 29, a co-defendant in the case, were arrested in July 2016 during a New Jersey State Police investigation. Detectives executed a search warrant at their apartment and found 10 ounces of furanyl fentanyl in a closet in the master bedroom, Grewal said. Police also found the $732,000 in suitcases and bags, and drug-packaging equipment.

Rivera pleaded guilty to first-degree money laundering. He was sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

Fentanyl-related deaths have increased dramatically in recent years. Fentanyl was linked to 1,429 overdose deaths in 2017, up from 818 in 2106, 417 deaths in 2015, 142 in 2014, and 46 deaths in 2013, Grewal said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com