NEW ENGLAND NEWS
November 16, 2011
Contact: Tom Carson
New England Division
203-821-3722
More Than Two Dozen Connecticut Residents
Charged with Drug Trafficking Offenses
Joint investigations target New Haven neighborhood; Kilograms of heroin and cocaine seized
NEW HAVEN, CT.  - David B. Fein , United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Kevin L. Lane, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, Colonel Danny R. Stebbins of the Connecticut State Police, and Acting Chief John Velleca of the New Haven Police Department today announced that 28 individuals have been charged with various federal offenses related to the alleged trafficking of heroin, cocaine, crack and marijuana throughout Connecticut. The charges are the result of two separate investigations that stem from drug trafficking activity on one street in the Fair Haven section of New Haven.
Over the past 48 hours, DEA's New Haven and Hartford Task Forces, ATF, Connecticut State Police, New Haven Police, New Britain Police and the United States Marshals Service have arrested 20 of the defendants charged in two indictments. An additional defendant was arrested this morning and charged by criminal complaint. Six defendants have been arrested previously and are currently in state or federal custody. Two defendants are currently being sought. The indictments and today's arrests represent the culmination of two long-term joint investigations that were funded in significant part by the United States Attorney's Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the Office's Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.
Law enforcement officers executed several search warrants in association with today's arrests and seized at least five firearms, narcotics, cash and other items.
"I want to commend all of the law enforcement officers involved in these important investigations," stated U.S. Attorney Fein. "Their coordinated efforts both today and over the past several months have disrupted what we allege to be two significant narcotics trafficking networks. These cases represent the U.S. Attorney's Office's long-standing, steadfast commitment to working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute large-scale trafficking of narcotics, and when appropriate, to assisting local law enforcement in their efforts to rid neighborhoods of pervasive drug trafficking in order to improve the quality of life for the residents."
"This investigation is another excellent example of collaborative law enforcement," stated DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Lane. "By working together, law enforcement agencies were able to dismantle this interstate heroin trafficking group. DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts are committed to making our communities safer by removing such drug traffickers from the streets. The arrests in this operation are a positive step in that direction."
"Guns are tools of the trade for drug dealers, as evidenced by today's seizure of firearms," stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Thomas. "ATF will continue to utilize all of its resources to fight violent crime and keep our neighborhoods safe."
"Law Enforcement teamwork is to be credited for the success in this case, which has made a significant impact in the illegal narcotics trade in Connecticut and surrounding states," stated Col. Stebbins of the Connecticut State Police.
"Today's take-down is an example of the difficult and dangerous work the men and women of the New Haven Police Department continue to engage in with our partners in state and federal law enforcement to address organized narcotics dealing and its related gun violence, which affect the city and surrounding region," stated Acting Chief Velleca of the New Haven Police Department. "New Haven residents are encouraged to report any illegal drug activity by calling our tip-line at 203-946-6098. All tips are kept confidential."