Fentanyl Kingpin Ramirez-Bellozo Gets 5 Years

HARTFORD, CT – A significant player in a Hartford-based fentanyl distribution network is heading to federal prison. HUGO IVAN RAMIREZ-BELLOZO, 35, a citizen of Mexico, received a 60-month sentence today, handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny. The sentence caps a lengthy investigation by the DEA Hartford Task Force into a ruthless operation flooding the streets with deadly narcotics.

The bust began to unfold in January 2022 with a seemingly routine motor vehicle stop. A minivan was flagged down, and a search revealed a hidden compartment stuffed with $92,000 in cash – the dirty profits fueling the fentanyl trade. Investigators quickly zeroed in on Harold Luis Del Orbe, also known as “Jaro,” identified as the ringleader directing the cash couriers and narcotics transactions. Del Orbe used drivers to conduct business on his behalf, keeping a distance from the actual movement of drugs and money.

The investigation culminated on November 16, 2022, with a court-authorized raid on an apartment on Putnam Heights in Hartford. Inside, authorities discovered approximately 1.5 kilograms of pure fentanyl, along with the tools used to process and package the deadly substance for street-level distribution. A loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun was also recovered, a chilling reminder of the violence inherent in this world. Ramirez-Bellozo and Del Orbe were both present during the search, caught red-handed amidst the evidence.

Ramirez-Bellozo has been held in custody since his arrest, and on November 21, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl – a charge carrying a substantial mandatory minimum sentence. Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone and Robert S. Dearington, built a solid case through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program, demonstrating a commitment to dismantling these complex criminal enterprises.

Del Orbe, the alleged mastermind, already pleaded guilty to related charges and received a harsher sentence of 120 months in prison on May 6, 2025. Ramirez-Bellozo, however, will likely face further consequences upon his release, as he is also subject to removal proceedings. This case underscores the DEA’s ongoing efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl into Connecticut, a fight that demands constant vigilance and collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force, a multi-agency coalition including the Connecticut State Police and officers from ten different local departments (Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks), played a critical role in bringing down this operation. The investigation serves as a stark warning: those involved in trafficking fentanyl will face the full force of the law. More information on the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.