Local and federal law enforcement seized roughly 19 kilograms of cocaine, more than 7,000 bags of fentanyl, and over $780,000 in cash as part of a drug bust that has led to the arrest of seven New Haveners and a 64-year-old supplier from New York.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office made that announcement in a Wednesday afternoon email press release.
The release states that “eight individuals have been charged with federal offenses related to the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, crack and powder cocaine in the New Haven area.”
Those include seven New Haveners who range in age from 26 to 39 years old and whose nicknames include “Deuce,” “Bodie,” “Neighbor,” and “Tiff.” Also arrested was one 64-year-old man from New York and New Jersey.
According to the press release, in the fall of 2021, the New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and the New Haven Police Department started investigating “Deuce” and others for allegedly selling illegal drugs in and around the West Hills neighborhood, including in the McConaughy Terrace public housing complex.
The investigation found that the 64-year-old New York was allegedly providing “Deuce” with heroin and fentanyl, and that the 33-year-old New Havener “was receiving kilogram quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico.”
On Feb. 4, investigators arrested “Deuce” and the New Yorker after they met in the Bronx. A search of “Deuce“ ‘s car turned up more than 7,000 folds of suspected heroin/fentanyl and roughly $30,000 in cash.
A Feb. 8 search of a Ward Street residence and a minivan allegedly connected to “Deuce’ revealed 19 kilograms of cocaine and $750,400 in cash, assorted jewelry, and a quantity of fentanyl. That search also turned up five firearms.
“On February 15, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging the eight defendants with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute various quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine.” Investigators arrested the other six New Haveners in this case on Feb. 17.
If convicted of the most serious charges in the indictment, “Deuce” faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum term of life in prison. The others who were arrested face between five and 40 years behind bars.
“The arrests of these individuals will provide an immediate positive impact in the community as we continue to work together to make our community safer,” Interim Police Chief Renee Dominguez is quoted as saying in the press release. “I am grateful for the dedication and hard work from everyone involved in this investigation.”
Hamden Psychiatric Practice Agrees To $310K Settlement
A separate email press release sent out by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Wednesday stated that state and federal governments have reached a civil settlement agreement with a Hamden-based psychiatry practice and its owner “to resolve allegations that they improperly employed an individual who was excluded from all federal healthcare programs.”
To resolve their liability under the federal and state False Claims Acts, the practice and the owner have agreed to pay $310,874, according to the release.
The release states that, in 2006, a physician was convicted in the Southern District of Florida of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. As a result of his conviction, he was excluded from all federal health care programs.
In February 2016, the Hamden-based practice hired this doctor to be its clinical director. He served in that position through June 2021.
During that time, the practice billed and sought reimbursements from federal healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. A portion of those reimbursements were used to pay the physician’s salary and benefits.
Why are “Deuce,” “Bodie,” “Neighbor,” and “Tiff” from New Haven being identified? Surely they are known to many readers and we have not heard their side of the story. Seems at odds with the NHI policy.