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Norwalk Leader’s Fentanyl Empire Crumbles
A six-person fentanyl trafficking ring led by Norwalk resident Jose Orjuela, aka ‘Hov,’ has been dismantled, according to federal authorities.
Orjuela, 35, of Norwalk, and five other alleged members of the ring were charged with federal offenses, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances.
The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Norwalk Police Department, revealed that the group transported kilogram-quantities of cocaine from Texas and Ohio, and kilogram-quantities of fentanyl and heroin from New York City.
On April 29, 2024, Orjuela, along with his girlfriend Kimberly Delacruz, aka ‘K,’ 29, of Norwalk, Jelson Perez, aka ‘Spank,’ 41, of Norwalk, Christopher Pomponi, 58, of Darien, Darrell Sanders, aka ‘Deezo,’ 54, of Norwalk, and Alejandro Martin De Los Santos, aka ‘Marcelino Lopez,’ 45, of Norwalk, were arrested on federal criminal complaints.
During the arrests, investigators executed multiple federal search warrants and seized approximately 15,000 dose bags of suspected fentanyl, approximately 350 grams of raw heroin, quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, a 9mm handgun and ammunition, and a 2021 Ford F-150.
Orjuela, Perez, Pomponi, Sanders, and De Los Santos are being held in detention, while Delacruz was released on bond.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery emphasized that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Kenneth L. Gresham through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers and money launderers.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the DEA’s Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force, the Norwalk Police Department, the Darien Police Department, the Stamford Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The OCDETF Program is a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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