Egg Harbor Twp., NJ, Man Sentenced For Role in Drug Distribution Scheme

An Egg Harbor Township man has been sentenced for his role in a drug distribution scheme.

42-year-old Ricardo Clavijo previously pleaded to one count of conspiring to distribute over one kilogram of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin, and one count of maintaining a drug-related premises.

On Thursday in Camden federal county, Clavijo was sentenced to 168 months, or 14 years, in prison.

Federal authorities say on July 12, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Clavijo’s home where law enforcement officers encountered Clavijo and his brother, Christopher Gonzalez.

Authorities found a drug packaging facility in the basement, as well as 4.3 kilograms of heroin, 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 10.8 kilograms of cocaine, drug packaging materials and equipment, and a money counting machine. Some of the heroin was already packaged in tens of thousands of individual doses, ready for street-level distribution. Agents also seized a .45 caliber handgun, a loaded magazine for the handgun, a 9mm 50-round drum magazine, and $8,457 in cash, all of which will be forfeited by Clavijo as part of his guilty plea.

Gonzalez pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy last October and is awaiting sentencing.

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In addition to the prison term, Clavijo was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration's New Jersey Division, the DEA Atlantic County HIDTA Task Force, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, and the Egg Harbor Township Police Department for their work in this case.