A citizen of Peru who was extradited to the United States on narcotics importation conspiracy and attempt charges had his initial appearance in Newark federal court on September 5,
51-year-old Roque Rafael Martinez Cubas, aka "Ever Arteaga," is charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine for unlawful importation and with one count of attempt to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine for unlawful importation into the United States.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Cubas was part of an international drug trafficking organization that manufactures and transports large quantities of cocaine from Peru to various
From May 2022 through April 2023, Cubas and others conspired and attempted to import 662 kilograms of cocaine into the United States.
Cubas was arrested in Peru in December 2023, and extradited at the request of the United States.
He had his initial appearance on September 5 before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court, pleaded not guilty, and was detained.
The narcotics charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment and a maximum fine of US$250,000.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny Chung of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.