Hartford Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEX ORTIZ-GOMEZ, 35, a citizen of Colombia last residing in Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration Hartford Task Force identified ORTIZ-GOMEZ as the head of a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large quantities of heroin in the Hartford area.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that members of the organization used an apartment on Wayland Street in Hartford to store heroin, cocaine, drug packaging materials and cash, and to process and package narcotics for street sale.

On May 13, 2015, ORTIZ-GOMEZ traveled from Hartford to New York City where law enforcement officers conducted a motor vehicle stop of the car and seized approximately $125,000 in cash.

ORTIZ-GOMEZ and several co-conspirators were arrested on June 4, 2015.  On that date, a search of the Wayland Street apartment revealed a bag of cocaine, approximately 400 bags of heroin, a heroin stamp, six boxes containing hundreds of stamped bags for packaging heroin, and other items used to process and package heroin for street sale.  A related search of co-conspirator’s residence in East Hartford revealed 500 grams of heroin, thousands of bags used to package heroin, a heroin brand stamp and other items.

ORTIZ-GOMEZ has been detained since his arrest.  On February 5, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

ORTIZ-GOMEZ, who came to the U.S. from Colombia as a child, faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

Six other individuals were charged and convicted as a result of this investigation.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police.  The DEA Task Force includes participants from the Bristol, East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Willimantic and Windsor Locks Police Departments, and the Food and Drug Administration.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.