Hartford Drug Dealer Sentenced To Prison: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after authorities said they seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, firearms and cash during a drug trafficking investigation.

Jose Baret, 35, of Hartford, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley to 84 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement conducted two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Baret in March and April 2024.

Baret was arrested on state charges April 10, 2024.

Investigators that day searched his vehicle, his Goodrich Street residence in Hartford, a hotel room he used in Windsor, and a storage facility he rented in Hartford, prosecutors said.

Authorities seized approximately:

• 364 grams of fentanyl
• 82 grams of methamphetamine
• 272 grams of crack cocaine
• 407 grams of powder cocaine
• Seven oxycodone pills
• Two handguns, firearm magazines and ammunition
• $4,511 in cash
• Narcotics processing and packaging materials

Baret pleaded guilty in federal court Feb. 4 to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and heroin.

He has been detained since May 23, 2024, when he was arrested in Lebanon, New Hampshire, on separate charges, prosecutors said.

Baret forfeited the seized firearms and cash, as well as his Honda Ridgeline SUV.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Hartford Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone prosecuted it.

For information on the case, click on this link.