New Haven Man Involved in Cocaine Ring is Sentenced

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Axel Pizarro, 36, of New Haven, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport to approximately 13 months of imprisonment, time served, followed by three years of supervised release, for selling cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Pizarro and 25 others were charged as a result of an FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force investigation into a New Haven-area narcotics trafficking organization. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps that recorded defendants on numerous occasions arranging the purchase and distribution of kilograms of cocaine. Pizarro was intercepted over the wiretap engaging in drug-related conversations with other members of the conspiracy.

Pizarro has been detained since his arrest on March 1, 2011. On November 21, 2011, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, admitting that he had distributed approximately 64 grams of cocaine to other individuals.

This case was investigated by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which includes officers from the Hamden, Milford, and New Haven Police Departments, as well as the State of Connecticut Department of Correction. The West Haven Police Department also has provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Fein also recognized the assistance of the New Haven Police Department’s Tactical Narcotics Unit and its Street Interdiction Unit for their assistance in making the arrests and seizures in this case.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. Runowicz and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Vizcarrando.