Zachary Foster, Narcotics Trafficking, Connecticut 2025

Federal Charges Filed Against Five in Waterbury Narcotics Trafficking Case

In a significant blow to narcotics trafficking in the Waterbury area, federal authorities have charged five individuals with conspiracy to traffic narcotics. The defendants, all from the Waterbury and New Haven areas, are accused of coordinating the distribution of cocaine, crack, and fentanyl.

According to court documents, Zachary Foster, also known as “Lee,” 58, of Waterbury, was previously sentenced to approximately 35 months of imprisonment, time already served, and four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics. However, an investigation by the DEA New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force determined that Foster had resumed his drug trafficking activity between February and April 2025.

During the investigation, a search of a stash location that Foster maintained at a residence on National Avenue in Waterbury revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine, and a search of a location he maintained on Meriden Road in Waterbury revealed approximately 600 dose bags of fentanyl. Phillion Harvey, Ronald McDowell, and Kenya Brown were also found in possession of distribution quantities of fentanyl.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Bridgeport on April 16, 2025, charges each of the five defendants with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine and fentanyl. If convicted, Foster faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, while Lucas, Harvey, McDowell, and Brown each face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Defendant Information:

• Zachary Foster, also known as “Lee,” 58, of Waterbury

• Kevin Lucas, 61, of Waterbury

• Phillion Harvey, also known as “Dawg,” 52, of New Haven

• Ronald McDowell, 58, of Waterbury

• Kenya Brown, 43, of Bristol

Case Details:

• City and State: Waterbury, Connecticut

• Exact Date: April 16, 2025

• Sentence or Outcome: Federal charges filed, with possible imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life

Release Status:

• Kevin Lucas and Ronald McDowell are currently detained

• Kenya Brown is released on $100,000 bond

• Phillion Harvey is released on $50,000 bond

Investigation:

The case is being investigated by the DEA New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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