Modesto Barett-Medina, Heroin Trafficking, CT 2023

Modesto Barett-Medina, 49, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for his role in a sophisticated heroin trafficking ring that stretched from Alabama to New England. U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea handed down the sentence in Hartford, Connecticut, followed by three years of supervised release.

The operation began unraveling on October 21, 2016, when the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama stopped a car hauler transporting a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu registered to co-conspirator Onel Arana-Gervacio. A search revealed a concealed compartment — known in trafficking circles as a “trap” — designed to smuggle drugs, weapons, or cash. Hidden traps like this are the infrastructure of the underground narcotic economy.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents tracked the Malibu from October 2016 to January 2017, watching it move through Connecticut and Rhode Island. Surveillance intensified when agents located the vehicle at 1091 Maple Avenue in Hartford. On January 20, 2017, officers observed activity consistent with accessing a hidden compartment in a second vehicle parked at the residence. Arana was seen loading two duffel bags into the car before leaving with Barett-Medina.

Hartford Police pulled the vehicle over at approximately 8:30 p.m. Though the second car also contained a trap, no contraband was found during the search. But the real score came at 1091 Maple Avenue: a raid uncovered more than six kilograms of heroin, nearly 500 grams of cocaine, and a “finger press” used to package heroin into 10-gram retail units. Drug paraphernalia coated in heroin residue — including sifters, scales, vacuum sealers, and kilo wrappers — tested positive for fentanyl.

Inside the garage, agents returned to the original Malibu and cracked open its hidden compartment, recovering $260,000 in cash. Laboratory analysis confirmed traces of fentanyl laced through portions of the seized heroin — a deadly combination fueling the opioid crisis across the Northeast. Barett-Medina has been in federal custody since his arrest on January 20, 2017.

On September 8, 2017, Barett-Medina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin. He now faces immigration proceedings upon completion of his sentence. Arana-Gervacio, who also pleaded guilty to related charges, awaits sentencing. The case was investigated by HSI, the Hartford Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson and David T. Huang.