Michelle Cruz, Narcotics Trafficking, Connecticut 2024

Waterbury Woman Sentenced to Prison for Role in Narcotics Trafficking Ring

In a major blow to organized crime in the Waterbury area, Michelle Cruz, 38, of Waterbury, was sentenced to 15 months in prison on May 21, 2024, for her role in a narcotics trafficking ring. The sentencing is the culmination of a long-running investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Michelle Cruz was involved in ordering heroin and fentanyl from Jose Duprey, also known as “Red” and “Colorado,” who trafficked kilogram-quantities of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Cruz, who was arrested on May 25, 2022, alongside 13 other individuals, was intercepted on a wiretap ordering these narcotics, which she then distributed to her customers.

The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops, revealed that Duprey used his place of employment to supply narcotics to other distributors and his girlfriend’s business to store narcotics and other items. On May 25, 2022, a search of Duprey’s Waterbury residence and his Middlebury stash location revealed approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of heroin, two kilograms of fentanyl, and over $107,000 in cash.

Cruz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances on August 9, 2023. She was released on a $50,000 bond and has been living in New York. As part of her sentencing, Cruz is required to report to prison on May 21, 2024.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, the Waterbury Police Department, and various other law enforcement agencies. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery praised the cooperation of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan J. Keefe and Nathaniel J. Gentile through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF is a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug traffickers and other organized crime groups.

As part of her sentence, Michelle Cruz will serve 15 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. This sentence is a significant blow to organized crime in the Waterbury area and serves as a reminder of the consequences of involvement in narcotics trafficking.

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