East Hartford Heroin Kingpin Gets 6-Year Sentence

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a gritty setback for the heroin trade in Connecticut, Ronald Perez, 30, of East Hartford, has been handed a six-year sentence after being caught with over 33,000 bags of heroin near Hartford Public High School.

Perez’s downfall began in 2016 when police received intel on drug activity at an apartment across from the high school. A massive seizure followed, revealing drugs and guns within striking distance of young students.

On September 13, 2016, officers from the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police, and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force swept into action, nabbing Perez, Marcus Tyson, and Byron Rivera. Inside the apartment, they found a drug-making factory: more than 33,000 bags of heroin, hundreds of grams of loose drugs, and illegal weapons.

Perez was hit with serious charges, eventually pleading guilty to conspiracy and intent to distribute heroin. He’s now facing down his sentence, with Judge Alvin W. Thompson ordering four years of supervised release after the prison term ends. Perez will also be required to clock 100 hours of community service.

The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the U.S. Marshals Service, Hartford Police, East Hartford Police, Connecticut State Police, and the Department of Correction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming led the prosecution in this case.

As Perez serves his time, the community can breathe easier knowing that another kingpin has been taken off the streets, but the fight against drug trafficking continues to rage on in Connecticut.

RELATED: Hartford Dealer Faces 20 Years for Deadly Synthetic Opioids

RELATED: East Hartford Narcotics Kingpin Given Over 8 Years for Heroin Distribution