AUG 20 -- Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KAREEM SWINTON, 27, last residing on Broad Street in Norwich, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release.  On April 6, 2009, SWINTON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”) and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in December 2007, an individual working with law enforcement purchased one ounce of crack cocaine from SWINTON.  Also, in March 2008, law enforcement videotaped SWINTON soliciting another individual to sell eighth-ounce quantities of crack cocaine.

On June 12, 2008, SWINTON was arrested by the Texas Highway Patrol after he was found in possession of approximately two kilograms of cocaine and more than two pounds of marijuana that he was transporting from Arizona to Connecticut for distribution.

SWINTON has been detained since his arrest.

This prosecution is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative and a long-term, coordinated investigation dubbed “Operation Jersey Barrier,” which has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Norwich Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force.  The Texas Department of Public Safety assisted the investigation.