NJ Man Admits Conspiring to Distribute 18 Kilos of Heroin, Faces Life in Prison

A man from Somerset County has admitted his role in a drug trafficking ring that was responsible for importing large quantities of heroin into New Jersey.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger says 45-year-old William T. Bouza of Watchung pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy to distribute heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute charges.

According to court documents,

In February 2019, Bouza arranged for a vehicle that was equipped with a secret compartment, or “trap,” containing 15 kilograms of heroin, to be shipped from California to a location in Union County. Law enforcement intercepted the vehicle, seized the narcotics, and identified Bouza as the intended recipient.

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Authorities say in the following months, it was determined that Bouza was allegedly storing and processing narcotics for street-level distribution throughout Essex County.

He was arrested in October 2019 and police, "discovered more than 1,000 packages, or “bricks” of heroin, each containing approximately 50 individual doses, in one of Bouza’s stash-houses."

In total, cops seized over 18 kilograms of heroin belonging to Bouza.

Bouza now faces up to life in prison and a $10 million fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 13th.