The second defendant charged in what federal authorities describe as the largest methamphetamine seizure in New Jersey history has admitted his role in the drug distribution conspiracy.

Carlos H. Cordero-Gutierrez, 54, of Juarez City, Mexico, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court to a one-count Information charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

According to court documents, in April 2026, Cordero-Gutierrez picked up a shipment of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine loaded onto a tractor-trailer in Texas that was bound for delivery in New Jersey. He drove the shipment to New Jersey, arriving on April 28, 2026, and was arrested at the pre-arranged delivery location along with his co-conspirator, Marcos Cesar Acosta.

Officers seized three black storage boxes, a duffel bag, and a garbage bag from the truck’s cab, all of which contained methamphetamine. In total, authorities recovered more than 260 pounds of methamphetamine, the largest such seizure in state history.

The conspiracy charge 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. Cordero-Gutierrez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 23, 2027.

Acosta pleaded guilty in August and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2026.