Utica Man Sentenced to 51 Months for Heroin Conspiracy

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Luis Estela, age 53, of Utica, New York, was sentenced today to serve 51 months in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, announced Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division.

After a two-day jury trial in June 2017, Estela was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin in connection with his involvement in a heroin trafficking organization operating in Utica and Rome, New York.  At trial, the evidence showed that Estela helped the organization package heroin on multiple occasions and assisted in distributing drugs along the Erie Canal in Rome.

Chief District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Estela to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.

This case was investigated by the DEA, New York State Police-Community Narcotics Enforcement Team-Central (NYSP-CNET), City of Rome Police Department, City of Utica Police Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Levine and Carla Freedman.