NEWARK, N.J. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - New Jersey), published as received.

NEWARK, N.J. – Two men, including a Mexican national, were arraigned after being indicted for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy to transport a large quantity of cocaine into New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Oscar Salvador Pelayo-Guzman, 55, a Mexican national, and most recently of Missouri, and Michael Brandon Araiza, 27, of California were charged in a one-count Indictment with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. They were arraigned on September 10, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Jamel K. Semper in Newark federal court. Both entered pleas of not guilty. 

Two other defendants charged in the drug distribution conspiracy, Jose Manuel Amaya Villarreal and Reymond Alex Avina Samaniego, both of California, previously entered guilty pleas before Judge Semper to separate Informations charging them with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Villarreal was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment on August 7, 2026; sentencing for Samaniego is scheduled for November 9, 2026.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Pelayo-Guzman is associated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel operating in Mexico and a principal member of a Kansas City-based drug trafficking organization involved in the international and interstate transportation and distribution of narcotics. Beginning in January 2025, Pelayo-Guzman, Araiza, Villarreal, and Samaniego conspired to transport large quantities of cocaine to New Jersey. Specifically, Pelayo-Guzman and Araiza traveled to New Jersey in April 2025 and arranged for a shipment of approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine to be delivered to Newark, New Jersey from California via a truck driven by Villarreal and Samaniego. After delivering the approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine in exchange for over $300,000 in cash, law enforcement officers arrested Villarreal and Samaniego. Pelayo-Guzman and Araiza were arrested shortly afterwards.

The charge in the Indictment carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million. 

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James, with the investigation leading to the Indictment. He also thanked the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy; IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer; the Asbury Park Police Department, under the direction of Police Director John B. Hayes; the Newark Department of Public Safety, Newark Police Division, under the direction of Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda; the Middletown Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police R. Craig Weber; the Lakewood Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Gregory H. Meyer; the Neptune Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Anthony Gualario; the Ocean Gate Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Kuchta; and the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Philip Corbisiero, for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel:

Oscar Salvador Pelayo-Guzman: Adalgiza A. Núñez, Esq.

Michael Brandon Araiza: Patrick J. Joyce, Esq.

Jose Manuel Amaya Villarreal: Perry Primavera, Esq.

Reymond Alex Avina Samaniego: Joseph D. Rotella, Esq.