Woman Sentenced in Heroin Mill Case After Authorities Find 17,000 Bags

A Connecticut woman will spend more than three-and-a half years in prison after an investigation into a heroin processing mill in Hartford resulted in the seizure of more than 17,000 bags of heroin, according to federal authorities.

Amanda Gambardella, 26, formerly of Hartford and Cheshire, was sentenced on Monday to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release for operating a heroin processing mill in Hartford,

The investigation into Gambardella started when the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford task force received information that a drug trafficking organization was obtaining large quantities of heroin in New York City, transporting the drug to Connecticut in a vehicle equipped with a hidden compartment and distributing it in the Hartford area, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

She worked for the organization, storing and packaging heroin at her apartment on Adelaide Street in Hartford and rented a storage unit in East Hartford on behalf of the organization, according to federal officials.

On Nov. 4, investigators searched the East Hartford storage unit and seized almost $800,000 in cash.

On Nov. 5, investigators searched the Adelaide Street apartment and seized 778 grams of heroin, cutting agents, packaging materials and other paraphernalia associated with a large scale heroin processing mill, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Authorities said they seized more than 17,000 bags of heroin packaged for street sale and around 200 grams of unpackaged heroin.

Gambardella has been detained since Nov. 5 and pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

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