A Rhode Island resident, Mario Recinos, has been sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for his role in a heroin trafficking operation that spanned southeastern Connecticut.
According to court documents, Recinos, 27, supplied Michael Luciano of New London with heroin, which was then distributed through a network of street-level dealers in the area.
The investigation, which included wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Recinos and others were responsible for several heroin overdoses in southeastern Connecticut, including two overdose deaths involving a heroin and fentanyl mix in January 2016.
Recinos was arrested on November 14, 2017, after investigators executed 12 federal search warrants and seized more than three kilograms of heroin from members of the conspiracy, including over one-half kilogram from Recinos.
On December 12, 2017, a grand jury in Hartford returned a 25-count superseding indictment charging Recinos, Luciano, and 19 other individuals with various heroin trafficking offenses.
Recinos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin on November 9, 2018.
On January 29, 2019, Michael Luciano, the individual who received the heroin from Recinos, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
Recinos is a citizen of Guatemala and faces immigration proceedings when he is released from prison.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East, and the New London, Norwich, Waterford, Attleboro (Mass.) and Freetown (Mass.) Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Geoffrey M. Stone.
The sentencing hearing took place on January 23, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford.
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking