Two men from Essex County have confessed to their roles in a drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed large quantities of fentanyl analogues. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Thomas Padovano, 50, and Bartholomew Padovano, 72, both from Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in federal court to charges related to drug trafficking conspiracy and international promotional money laundering conspiracy.
Court documents revealed that between January 2014 and September 2020, the Padovanos were involved with others in importing and distributing controlled substances such as fentanyl, its analogues, methylone, and ketamine. These substances were sourced from China and distributed within New Jersey in bulk or as counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl analogues. They also admitted to financial transactions intended to hide over $500,000 in drug proceeds.
Thomas Padovano's guilty plea for drug trafficking conspiracy includes a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment with a potential life sentence and up to $10 million fine. Bartholomew Padovano faces a minimum of five years imprisonment with a maximum of 40 years and up to $5 million fine for his role. Both defendants also face up to 20 years imprisonment for domestic concealment money laundering conspiracy with fines reaching $500,000. Sentencing is set for May 6, 2025.
The investigation leading to these guilty pleas was conducted by special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Newark under Special Agent Spiros Karabinas' direction. The effort was supported by HSI Philadelphia; the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Newark Division; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark; IRS-Criminal Investigation; the Newark Police Department; and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Hasapidis-Sferra from the Criminal Division in Newark are representing the government alongside Trial Attorney Stephen Sola from the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
This case forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations posing threats within the United States through a collaborative multi-agency approach.