East Hartford Man Charged with Fentanyl, Cocaine Trafficking

Feds Nab East Hartford Man in Major Fentanyl, Cocaine Bust

East Hartford, CT – In a major blow to Connecticut’s narcotics trade, Brandon Spence, 36, also known as ‘Spun,’ has been charged with fentanyl and cocaine trafficking offenses.

According to court documents, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force conducted a series of controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from Spence in March and April 2024. On April 3, 2024, a search of Spence’s residence and vehicles revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl, further solidifying the connection to the charges.

A federal grand jury in New Haven returned a five-count indictment charging Spence with three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Spence appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has been detained since his arrest on April 3, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt, emphasizing that charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department, with the Task Force comprising members from the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Connecticut Department of Correction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel is prosecuting the case.