BRIDGEPORT, CT – A sprawling narcotics network flooding southern Connecticut with fentanyl and cocaine has been dismantled, authorities announced today. A federal grand jury indicted fifteen individuals, alleging they conspired to distribute deadly drugs across the state. The operation, led by DAMIEN HAZEL, 26, of Bridgeport, allegedly sourced narcotics from as far as Puerto Rico and New York City, utilizing the U.S. Mail to move product.
The indictment names YANISHKA ARROYO-RIVERA, a.k.a. “Nani,” 22, of Bridgeport; NICHOLAS VEGA, a.k.a. “Nick,” 25, of Ansonia; OMAR VIERA, a.k.a. “O,” 32, of Waterbury; JONATHAN MEJIA, a.k.a. “Big Head,” 27, of Kentucky, formerly of Hamden; NESTOR ROSADO, a.k.a. “Joey,” 27, of Bridgeport; VICTOR FRANCISCO BONILLA, a.k.a. “Mostro,” 34, of Bridgeport; KELVIN OLIVO, 34, of Naugatuck; BRENJINELLIE GONZALEZ, a.k.a. “Brenji,” 24, of New Haven; ROBERTO DEJESUS, a.k.a. “Pedro Ramirez” and “Tito,” 50, of Bridgeport; DANIEL RUIZ, a.k.a. “Jumbo,” 38, of Bridgeport; JAFFAR ALI, 32, a citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Trumbull; DAVON WARNER, a.k.a. “DaeDae,” 25, of New Haven; MADISON CRUZ, a.k.a. “Maddie,” 23, of Shelton; and JASZAE VAZQUEZ, 26, of Derby. All are accused of participating in the conspiracy.
According to court documents, HAZEL allegedly orchestrated trips to the Bronx to collect kilogram quantities of fentanyl and deliver cash. The organization also allegedly shipped cocaine from Puerto Rico via the U.S. Postal Service to addresses throughout Connecticut. Investigators with the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service seized at least 16 kilograms of cocaine during the investigation, with suspicions of further concealed shipments. The scale of the operation points to a deliberate attempt to saturate the region with dangerous narcotics.
“As alleged, this organization trafficked a significant amount of fentanyl and cocaine into our state,” stated U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan. “The scourge of illegal narcotics continues to ruin lives in Connecticut, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to targeting and prosecuting those who are profiting from it.” Authorities moved swiftly, arresting HAZEL and 13 co-conspirators on September 10, 2025, with DEJESUS apprehended two days later on September 12, 2025. Searches linked to the arrests yielded two firearms and ammunition from a residence shared by HAZEL and ARROYO-RIVERA, ammunition and suspected narcotics from DEJESUS, and suspected narcotics from VEGA, ALI, and WARNER.
FBI Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien emphasized the agency’s commitment to combating violent crime. “This indictment demonstrates FBI New Haven’s top priority of crushing violent crime,” he said. “Along with our federal and local partners, we are committed to removing dangerous drugs, like fentanyl and cocaine, from the streets of Connecticut.” The investigation underscores the increasingly complex methods employed by drug traffickers, utilizing both traditional channels and the postal service to evade detection.
Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. If convicted, HAZEL, ARROYO-RIVERA, VEGA, VIERA, MEJIA, ROSADO, BONILLA, OLIVO, and GONZALEZ face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a potential life sentence. DEJESUS, RUIZ, ALI, WARNER, CRUZ, and VAZQUEZ face a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years imprisonment. HAZEL, DEJESUS, VEGA, MEJIA, BONILLA, RUIZ, and ALI are currently being held in custody, while the remaining eight defendants await further proceedings. The case serves as a stark reminder of the relentless flow of illicit drugs into the state and the ongoing efforts to stem the tide.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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