NEWARK – A Whiting man is among two New Jersey residents facing federal charges in connection with a scheme to illegally distribute thousands of oxycodone pills, prosecutors said.
Gregory Kubina, 50, of Whiting, and Michael Kiszka, 60, of East Hanover, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, according to Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba.
Federal prosecutors said the men worked together to obtain prescriptions for high-dosage oxycodone from multiple doctors beginning in April 2024, then sold more than 10,000 pills to street-level drug users. Kiszka allegedly filled prescriptions himself and also bought pills that Kubina obtained through other doctors.
Both men made their initial court appearances on September 11 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen and were released on $100,000 unsecured bonds.
If convicted, Kubina and Kiszka each face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kruti D. Dharia and Jake A. Nasar of the Health Care Fraud and Opioids Abuse Prevention Unit are handling the prosecution.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are accusations and the defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
