Two New Haven Residents Charged with Trafficking Heroin and Fentanyl

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an eight-count indictment charging JAMES COOPER, also known as “Jimi” and “Bamboo,”48, and MINISHA SUMLER, also known as “Mish,” 30, both of New Haven, with narcotics trafficking offenses.

The indictment was returned on December 10, and both defendants were arrested yesterday.  Cooper is detained, and Sumler was released today on a $25,000 bond.

As alleged in court documents, between August and November 2019, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of distribution quantities of heroin and fentanyl from Cooper and Sumler.

The indictment charges Cooper and Sumler with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and with additional counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and fentanyl.  If convicted, Cooper and Sumler face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count of conviction.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Hamden Police Department.  The Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.