Amsterdam man gets 7 years for federal cocaine charges

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Amsterdam man was sentenced to over 7 years in prison for having more than six pounds of cocaine. The Department of Justice said Jose Carrero, 36, was also sentenced to four years of probation.

Carrero pleaded guilty to federal drug possession charges in February for possessing and intending to distribute cocaine. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents arrested Carrero on November 4, 2024, after watching him put a little more than 6 1/2 pounds of cocaine in the trunk of his car.

During his arrest, Carrero had $1,704 in cash, and DEA agents recovered an additional $70,000 in drug proceeds and 296 grams of cocaine while searching his home.

In addition to his jail and probation sentence, Carrero was also ordered to forfeit the $70,000 from his apartment and $1,704 in his possession at the time of his arrest. DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said Carrero's sentencing reflects the hard work DEA and law enforcement have put in targeting those individuals poisoning communities.

"We will continue to target those individuals responsible for pushing illicit narcotics into our communities," Tarentino said.