Maycol Campos, Heroin Trafficking, CT 2023

Maycol Campos, 37, a Guatemalan national from Attleboro, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison for trafficking heroin across southeastern Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea handed down the sentence in Hartford, marking the latest conviction in a sprawling drug network linked to multiple overdose deaths.

The case erupted from a federal investigation launched after a wave of heroin overdoses in early 2016, including two fatal incidents involving a lethal mix of heroin and fentanyl. Authorities traced the deadly supply chain back to Campos, who prosecutors say operated as a key supplier, funneling bulk quantities to local distributors who flooded streets with the poison.

Court records show Campos provided approximately 50 grams of heroin to associate Mario Recinos, who then passed it to Michael Luciano of New London. Luciano, already sourcing from other suppliers, ran a street-level distribution network that fed addiction and chaos across the region. The investigation used court-authorized wiretaps and controlled buys to dismantle the operation.

On November 14, 2017, federal agents executed 12 search warrants, seizing more than three kilograms of heroin and arresting Campos. He has remained in custody since. A 25-count superseding indictment followed on December 12, 2017, charging Campos, Luciano, Recinos, and 18 others with heroin trafficking offenses.

Campos pleaded guilty on November 7, 2018, to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Upon release, he will face immigration proceedings. Recinos, also a citizen of Guatemala, pleaded guilty November 9, 2018, and was sentenced April 9, 2019, to 42 months. Luciano pleaded guilty June 27, 2018, and received a 12-year sentence on January 29, 2019.

The probe was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East, and local police departments in New London, Norwich, Waterford, Attleboro, and Freetown, Mass. Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Geoffrey M. Stone prosecuted the case.