David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUT MUHAMMAD, also known as “Luke Muhammad,” “Lut Billie,” and “Lut Mohammad,” 36, of Stamford, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 240 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for his role in a southwestern Connecticut narcotics trafficking ring.  On September 7, 2010, MUHAMMAD pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), six counts of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base, and four counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
           
This matter stems from “Operation Big Loot,” a six-month investigation that was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad.  As a result of the investigation, a total of 52 individuals have been charged in state and federal court with various narcotics offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in the greater Stamford area.  During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized approximately $165,000 in cash, one kilogram of cocaine, two kilograms of crack cocaine, five firearms and several vehicles.
           
According to the evidence presented, from May to November 2009, MUHAMMAD traveled more than 30 times from Stamford to the Bronx, N.Y. to purchase a total of more than 3.8 kilograms of crack cocaine, which he then redistributed to others.
           
MUHAMMAD has five prior state felony convictions involving narcotics, and he was on probation for selling drugs while participating in this conspiracy.
           
MUHAMMAD has been detained since his arrest on December 3, 2009.  On that date, a search of MUHAMMAD’s Maple Tree Avenue residence revealed approximately $4,358 in cash.
        
U.S. Attorney Fein noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force – which is composed of members of the Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk and Stratford Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police – the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad.  The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Bridgeport, Darien, Greenwich and Danbury Police Departments assisted in the arrests of several of the defendants.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Spector and Jonathan Freimann.

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U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
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