Hartford Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS RODRIGUEZ, 33, formerly of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and fentanyl in Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force launched an investigation into an organization that was selling large amounts of heroin, fentanyl and other narcotics in Hartford.  The investigation, which included approximately six months of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that members of the organization, including Rodriguez, supplied distribution quantities of narcotics to several Hartford-area drug dealers, and used multiple locations in Hartford to process, store and distribute narcotics.

Rodriguez was intercepted during wiretapped conversations discussing the extensive narcotics distribution enterprise, and attempting to broker the acquisition of firearms.

Rodriguez and other members of the organization were arrested on July 19, 2018.  On that date, investigators executed 10 search warrants and seized approximately 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, approximately 500 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms, cash, and other evidence of narcotics trafficking activity.

On August 2, 2018, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Rodriguez and 15 co-defendants with various offenses.

On May 22, 2019, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).

Rodriguez, who is currently residing in Rocky Hill while released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 15.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  Agencies assisting the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, New Britain, Newington and West Hartford Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.