Irvington fire academy trainee arrested for manufacturing illegal pills
NEWARK, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson, and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Craig Carpenito announced two Irvington, New Jersey men, one of whom is currently attending the Irvington Fire Academy in order to become a firefighter, have been charged for operating a “mill” for the manufacture of illegal narcotic pills in an Irvington residence.
Elijah Lee, 27, who was in training to become a firefighter with the Irvington Fire Department, and Immanuel Majerska, 37, were arrested Jan. 30, 2020, and charged with conspiring to distribute methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly referred to as “ecstasy,” or “MDMA.” The two defendants made their initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson. Lee was released on bail and Majerska was detained.
The defendants allegedly manufactured MDMA pills in the basement of Lee’s residence. Law enforcement officers recovered two “presses” capable of producing pills from raw ingredients, multiple kilograms of bulk suspected MDMA powder, and numerous pills of suspected MDMA. Law enforcement officers also recovered a loaded firearm at Lee’s residence in a dresser in Majerska’s room. Majerska was in possession of approximately 1,000 suspected MDMA pills.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Newark Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn; special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York, under the direction of Peter C. Fitzhugh, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. He also thanked the Essex County Sheriff’s Department the Irvington and Union police departments for their assistance.
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