Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Heroin Trafficking Ring

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIO FLORES, 39, of Webster, Mass., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad targeted a New Haven-based heroin trafficking organization.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical and video surveillance, revealed that members of the organization regularly purchased bulk quantities of heroin from suppliers located in the Bronx, New York, and sold the heroin through a network of redistributors, including FLORES, in New Haven and elsewhere.  FLORES distributed heroin in Massachusetts.

The investigation resulted in federal charges against 24 individuals.

FLORES was arrested on March 16, 2017.  On that date, investigators seized $18,180 from a safe that he controlled.

On October 11, 2017, FLORES pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

The DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments.  The New Haven, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments, together with the U.S. Coast Guard, provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Patrick F. Caruso.