NEW HAVEN, CT – A nine-count superseding indictment unsealed yesterday has cracked a heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl distribution network operating in and around New Haven, Connecticut. Federal authorities announced the charges against 14 individuals, alleging a widespread conspiracy that funneled kilogram quantities of narcotics into the state. The case, spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department, reveals a sophisticated operation built on a network of associates.
At the center of the alleged scheme is MALBIN RUBIERA-HERRERA, a.k.a. “Chaca,” 28, of New Haven. According to court documents, Rubiera-Herrera allegedly sourced heroin and cocaine from Connecticut and New Jersey, distributing the drugs through his network. Investigators made controlled purchases from Rubiera-Herrera between October and December 2018, leading to the discovery of approximately 700 gross grams of fentanyl during a search of his Augustine Street residence on April 30, 2019. Also arrested that day were JUAN LANTIGUA-CID, a.k.a. “Manager,” 46, of Linden, New Jersey; EDUARDO RAMOS, 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and BRIAN ABREU, a.k.a. “Braga,” 26, of New Haven.
The initial indictment in May 2019 expanded to include WILLIAM CLAUDIO-SUAREZ, a.k.a. “Willy,” 33, of New Haven; PEDRO ORTA-RIVAS a.k.a. “Cuba” and “El Brujo,” 50, of East Haven; and OSVALDO HODGE, a.k.a. “Mono,” 43, of New Haven. The superseding indictment, unsealed yesterday, added STEVEN SANTOS, 38, of Bridgeport; ROBERTO ANTHONY TORRES, a.k.a. “Toni,” 52, of New Haven; and TAKAI QUNTAY BELLAMY, 25, of New Haven to the list of defendants. MICHAEL MILLER, 38, of New Haven, and CHRISTIAN RIVERA-TORRES, a.k.a. “Pantera,” 40, of New Haven, are currently being transferred from state to federal custody. MARIO LLANOS-AYALA, 44, of Deltona, Florida, is in state custody in New Jersey, while authorities continue to search for JOSE ANGEL SUAREZ, 36, of Veja Baja, Puerto Rico.
All 14 defendants face charges of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl. The potential penalties vary depending on individual involvement and the quantity of narcotics attributed to each. Rubiera-Herrera, Lantigua-Cid, Ramos and Abreu could face a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted. Claudio-Suarez, Orta-Rivas, Santos, Suarez, Llanos-Ayala and Torres face between 5 and 40 years, while Hodge, Miller, Bellamy and Rivera-Torres face a maximum of 20 years. The indictment also includes possession with intent to distribute charges for Rubiera-Herrera, Abreu, Orta-Rivas and Hodge.
U.S. Attorney John H. Durham cautioned that the indictment represents allegations, not proof of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation involved the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, providing updates on the legal proceedings and the fate of those accused in this dangerous drug trafficking operation. The streets of New Haven are a little less poisoned today, but the fight against the relentless flow of narcotics is far from over.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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