A 26-year-old Jackson Township man has been sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison for transporting a stolen firearm as part of a firearms trafficking operation, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Luiz Vargas, also known as “El Biggie,” was sentenced on October 7 after pleading guilty in May to transporting a stolen firearm.

According to federal authorities, an investigation launched in January 2025 revealed that Vargas was trafficking firearms into New Jersey from states including Texas and Maryland.

During the investigation, law enforcement conducted four controlled purchases involving eight firearms, including six handguns and two semiautomatic rifles. Two handguns had been reported stolen, while both rifles lacked serial numbers or other identifying markings.

Prosecutors also said Vargas provided cocaine to a confidential source on one occasion after failing to complete a promised firearms sale.

In addition to his 78-month prison sentence, Vargas will serve three years of supervised release.

The FBI led the investigation, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Lakewood Police Department, Howell Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.