John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of
Connecticut, announced that PEDRO ORTA-RIVAS, also known as “Cuba” and “El
Brujo,” 51, of East Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey
A. Meyer in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of
supervised release, for his role in a New Haven-based drug trafficking
organization.
According to court documents and statements made in court,
an investigation headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task
Force and New Haven Police Department revealed that Malbin Rubiera-Herrera,
also known as “Chaca,” acquired fentanyl, heroin and cocaine from sources in
Connecticut and New Jersey and distributed the drugs through a network of
associates in the greater New Haven area.
Between October and December 2018, investigators made controlled
purchases of narcotics from Rubiera-Herrera.
Subsequent court-authorized wiretaps revealed a widespread narcotics
trafficking conspiracy that involved the trafficking of kilogram-quantities of
fentanyl, heroin and cocaine into Connecticut.
Orta-Rivas helped to broker narcotics transactions, distributed drugs
for the organization, and collected monies owed.
On June 5, 2019, a grand jury returned a superseding
indictment charging Orta-Rivas, Rubiera-Herrera and 12 other individuals with
fentanyl, heroin and cocaine trafficking offenses. On November 5, 2019, Orta-Rivas pleaded guilty
to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to
distribute, heroin and cocaine.
Orta-Rivas, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required
to report to prison on April 7, 2020.
Rubiera-Herrera pleaded guilty on June 20, 2019, and awaits
sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task
Force and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals
Service, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, East
Haven Police Department, Easton Police Department, Orange Police Department,
and the Cape May County (N.J.) Prosecutor's Office, Gangs, Guns and Narcotics
Task Force.
The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the
U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation
Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford,
Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys
Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and S. Dave Vatti.
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