Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Central Connecticut Drug Trafficking Ring

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that two men involved in trafficking narcotics in central Connecticut were sentenced today in Hartford federal court.  U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant sentenced LEONEL QUIROS, also known as “Haze,” 34, of New Britain, to 27 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release, and DERRICK BRYANT, 27, of Middletown, to approximately 13 months of imprisonment, time already served, and five years of supervised release.

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force into a central Connecticut cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of crack cocaine and seizures of cocaine and cash proceeds, revealed that Westley Northrup, also known as “Piff,” operated a cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring while he was incarcerated in state custody at the Cheshire Correctional Institution.  Northrup conspired with Carlos Roman, also known as “Frizz,” of Middletown, to purchase cocaine from suppliers, including Omar Rivera, convert some of the cocaine to crack cocaine, and then distribute crack and cocaine through a network of dealers, including BRYANT.

Further investigation revealed that Rivera, of New Britain, was being supplied with cocaine by Orlando Quiros, of Suffield, who regularly received packages containing multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico.  Quiros’s operation was assisted by his brother, LEONEL QUIROS, and individuals who agreed to accept delivery of the packages.

On July 12, 2017, law enforcement officers intercepted and seized approximately $210,000 in cash that Orlando Quiros had in a vehicle he was driving from Connecticut to New York.

LEONEL QUIROS, BRYANT and others involved in this narcotics trafficking conspiracy were arrested on July 26, 2017.  On that date, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately seven kilograms of cocaine, several pounds of marijuana, three firearms, and nearly $100,000 in cash.  One of the firearms was found in LEONEL QUIROS’s residence

On February 15, 2018, LEONEL QUIROS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  On May 31, 2018, BRYANT pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).

Northrup, Roman, Rivera and Orlando Quiros pleaded guilty to related charges.  On April 12, 2018, Roman was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.  Northrup, Rivera and Orlando Quiros await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Middletown and New Britain Police Departments.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby and Middletown Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.