Fifteen people face federal charges in connection with a heroin trafficking ring in Waterbury, according to the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
The US Attorney’s office announced Tuesday charge against 15 people accused of involvement in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in the Waterbury area.
The investigation is a joint effort by the DEA New haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.
Authorities said the investigation revealed that 35-year-old Nestor Sosa-Ortiz operated the ring, which trafficked heroin and fentanyl from suppliers in Connecticut and New York to sell across New Haven County. Investigators said that after Nestor Sosa-Ortiz was arrested in New York City on separate charges in May 2019, he continued his work by using smuggled cell phones to communicate with others, including his sisters, Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz and Imirici Sosa-Ortiz.
On Tuesday officers executed five search warrants at locations in Waterbury, including an apartment at 330 Bishop Street and the Corner Mini Market at 52 East Farm Street. They seized approximately six kilograms of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 100,000 bags of the drugs packaged for sale, approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills disguised as Percocet pills, one gun and $50,000 in cash.
Nestor Sosa-Ortiz has been in federal custody since May 18, 2019. Officers arrested 13 people Tuesday:
Isamelis Maria Soso-Ortiz, a.k.a. “Marian,” 29, of Waterbury
Imirici Sosa-Ortiz, a.k.a. “Mimi,” 31, of Waterbury
Elias Sanchez-Martinez, 27, of Waterbury
Francis Aybar-Peguero, a.k.a. “Grena,” 27, of Waterbury
Erica Orama, a.k.a. “Wifey,” 39, of Waterbury
Roney Sosa, 23, of Waterbury
Ivanny Antonio Francisco-Estrella, 34, of Waterbury
Brayan Gonzalez, 35, of Waterbury
Jeffrey Tavarez, 21, of Waterbury
Orlando Martinez, a.k.a. “Bolo,” 51, of Watertown
Juan Carlos Castellano, 41, of Bridgeport
Erik Rafael Polanco, a.k.a. “Chino,” 23, of Waterbury
Darry Jose Guerrero, a.k.a. “Domi,” 27, of Waterbury
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Authorities are still searching for one suspect – Jeisson Amarante-Perez, a.k.a. “Smart Yeii,” 25, of Waterbury.
They are each charged with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin and fentanyl.
“In recent years, the flow of opioids in Waterbury has had a devastating impact on our community as a whole,” said Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo. “We are grateful for the support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and for our partnership with the DEA. We will continue to work side by side with these agencies to combat the opioid trade in Waterbury.”
