New Britain Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HENRY MENESES JR., 33, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a Drug Enforcement Administration Hartford Task Force investigation revealed that Meneses was selling large quantities of fentanyl in the Hartford area.  On January 6, 2025, Meneses distributed 6,000 dose bags of fentanyl to an individual who had driven from Vermont to pick up the drugs.  On February 25, 2025, investigators made a controlled purchase of 1,200 dose bags of fentanyl from Meneses on Franklin Avenue in Hartford.

Meneses was arrested on March 25, 2025.  On that date, searches of his residence and vehicle revealed two handguns, five gun magazines, ammunition, and more than $6,000 in cash.

On June 24, 2025, Meneses pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.  Released on a $100,000 bond, he is required to report to prison on January 7.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted the investigation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.