United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

FAIRFIELD COUNTY MARIJUANA TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 41 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN DANZI, 35, of Greenwich, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in a marijuana trafficking ring.  On May 5, 2009, DANZI pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and one count of distribution of marijuana.

According to court documents and statements made in court, BRIAN DANZI, his brother Michael Danzi, and others participated in a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for transporting shipments of high-quality hydroponic marijuana from Canada to southwestern Connecticut for distribution in and around Fairfield County.  The investigation revealed that the organization imported hundreds of pounds of marijuana into the United States over several years, and that the DANZIs sold approximately 30 pounds of the marijuana per month at a wholesale cost of approximately $4,000 per pound.  The proceeds of the marijuana distribution were then routed back to Canada.

During the course of the investigation, federal agents seized nearly $800,000 that was being smuggled to Canada.  The seized cash, as well as a Mercedes Benz automobile, a Jeep and two all-terrain vehicles owned by the DANZIs have been forfeited to the Government.

Michael Danzi previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and one count of conspiracy to smuggle bulk cash out of the United States.  On December 8, 2009, Judge Kravitz sentenced him to 48 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Greenwich, Stratford, Stamford, Norwalk, and Naugatuck Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov