Hartford Man Had More Than 1K Bags Of Fentanyl: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A city man has been sentenced to six years in prison for distributing fentanyl and heroin, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Frankie Vega, aka "Lips," will also serve three years of supervised release.

An investigation by federal and local police revealed that Wilson Velez, aka “Wiso,” a member of the Latin Kings, was distributing heroin and fentanyl. Velez employed family members and other Latin Kings members and associates to process, package and distribute the drugs from apartment buildings on Hamilton Street and Elliot Street in Hartford.

During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Velez and other members of the drug trafficking organization, according to the statement.

Investigators made two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Vega in May 2017 at his residence on Broad Street. On May 3, 2017, a court-authorized search of Vega’s residence revealed more than 1,000 bags of fentanyl/heroin.

In November 2017, while he was released on bond in his state case, Vega was intercepted on a wiretap negotiating the purchase of 500 bags of fentanyl/heroin from Velez.

Vega, Velez, and eight other Latin Kings members were indicted on 41 counts in May of last year. In March, Vega pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and fentanyl

Vega was previously arrested in 2008 when he fired his gun at Hartford Police officers pursuing him in a foot chase, according to the statement. Vega was sentenced to 15 years in prison, suspended after nine years, and released from state prison in April 2016.