HARTFORD, CT – Kelvin Munoz, 29, of New Haven, is headed to federal prison for over four years after being sentenced today for his role in a New Haven-area drug trafficking operation. U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala handed down a 52-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, to Munoz, also known as “Kel.” The case underscores the continued federal crackdown on fentanyl and other illicit drug distribution networks plaguing Connecticut cities.
The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force launched the investigation in June 2022, focusing on drug activity within New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood. Court documents reveal a complex operation utilizing court-authorized wiretaps, meticulous physical surveillance, and several carefully orchestrated controlled purchases. Investigators documented Munoz and his associates dealing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine. The investigation didn’t stop at street-level drugs; it also uncovered the distribution of illegally obtained prescription narcotic pills.
The scope of Munoz’s involvement became clearer with two key incidents. On September 20, 2022, investigators successfully purchased a Polymer 80 .40 caliber handgun – a so-called “ghost gun” due to its lack of serial number – along with ammunition and a quantity of fentanyl, directly from Munoz and a co-defendant. Then, on March 9, 2023, just after Munoz met with his state probation officer, he was caught in another controlled purchase, this time of approximately 48 grams of fentanyl.
Munoz has been detained since his arrest on a state charge on August 23, 2023. He ultimately pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024, to the federal charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. The guilty plea brought an end to the federal case against him, but represents just one piece of a larger puzzle.
This wasn’t an isolated bust. The investigation has led to federal charges against a total of 12 individuals, signaling a significant network of criminal activity. The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, a multi-agency collaboration including the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and multiple local police departments (New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford), spearheaded the operation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan J. Keefe is prosecuting the case through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF is a federal initiative designed to dismantle major drug trafficking organizations and related criminal enterprises. This case serves as a reminder that federal agencies are actively working to stem the flow of illicit drugs and weapons into Connecticut communities. More information on OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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