Two charged in fentanyl bust appear in court

They allegedly carried over 3 pounds

Two New York men at the center of what has been described as the largest fentanyl seizure ever in this part of the state appeared briefly Monday in federal court in Pittsburgh and will face detention hearings later this week.

Juan Guzman and Hector Taveras were caught July 8 transporting more than 3 pounds of pure fentanyl on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County, according to state troopers.

They were originally charged in state court, but the U. S. attorney’s office adopted the case and brought indictments earlier this month. The penalties for large- scale drug trafficking are much higher in the federal system than in state court.

Guzman, 41, and Taveras, 40, are both charged with conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to deliver more than 400 grams of fentanyl from May through July.

At the time of the bust, state police said the amount — 3 pounds, 6 ounces — represented the largest seizure of the drug ever in Western Pennsylvania.

Troopers said they found the drugs hidden in an SUV that Guzman was driving in Mount Pleasant on his way to Pittsburgh and believe the haul is connected to a Dominican Republic narcotics operation bringing fentanyl into Western Pennsylvania.

Troopers pulled over the SUV, which is owned by Taveras, for a traffic violation. They said they found the fentanyl in a vacuum- sealed bag inside a secret compartment in the dashboard behind the radio.

The fentanyl has an estimated street value of more than $ 1 million.

In addition to the charges, the U. S. attorney’s office has moved to forfeit about $ 75,000 in cash also seized from the two men.