Connecticut authorities have taken down a major cocaine trafficking ring, with one of the suspected leaders, Pedro Rivera, also known as ‘Cheito,’ taking a guilty plea in federal court. Rivera, 36, of Groton, Connecticut, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a serious crime that carries significant penalties.
According to court documents, the investigation into the cocaine trafficking ring was initiated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, and the New London Police Department in early 2012. The probe revealed that members of the conspiracy coordinated the shipment of heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into and around southeastern Connecticut.
Rivera allegedly arranged the shipment of cocaine from sources in Puerto Rico to the New London area, with his operation being assisted by individuals who lived in and around Morovis, Puerto Rico, including his parents, Juan Rivera Ortiz and Ivette Pagan Rodriguez. Rivera then distributed the cocaine to customers in southeastern Connecticut through a network of associates.
More than 100 individuals were charged with federal and state offenses as a result of this investigation, highlighting the scope and severity of the cocaine trafficking operation. Rivera has been in custody since his arrest on April 3, 2013, and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on March 3, 2015. He faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years for his role in the conspiracy.
The investigation into the cocaine trafficking ring was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Connecticut State Police. The U.S. Marshals Service, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation also provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
Rivera’s guilty plea is a significant blow to the cocaine trafficking ring, and his sentencing will be closely watched by law enforcement officials and the community. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of cooperation and coordination between law enforcement agencies in combating large-scale organized crime.
Defendant: Pedro Rivera
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine
City and State: Groton, Connecticut
Arrest Date: April 3, 2013
Sentence: Scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on March 3, 2015, with a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years
Related Federal Cases
- Pedro Rivera, Cocaine Trafficking, Connecticut 2019 · Florida
- Pedro Luis Rivera-Rodriguez, Cocaine Trafficking, Connecticut 2022 · Florida
- Michael Rivera, Cocaine Trafficking, Connecticut 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Brian Martinez Rivera, Cocaine Trafficking, Connecticut 2025 · Puerto Rico
- Luis Palacios Ortiz, Cocaine Trafficking, Connecticut 2024 · Puerto Rico
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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