Suspected Manchester Dealer Charged In Federal Fentanyl Case

MANCHESTER, CT — A Manchester man is facing federal charges after an undercover fentanyl sale, a leading prosecutor said.

John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment Wednesday charging 30-year-old Manchester resident Mike Cruz with fentanyl distribution offenses.

Cruz went by the street names of "Mike Flores" and "Mega," Durham said.

According to court documents, in January 2020, law enforcement officers received information that Cruz was distributing "large quantities" of narcotics from his Manchester apartment. On Feb. 18, 2020, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 50 grams of fentanyl from Cruz.

Cruz was arrested in Manchester on a federal criminal complaint on Feb. 27. According to a report, at the time of his arrest, he possessed approximately 100 grams of compressed fentanyl. On that date, a search of his vehicle also revealed approximately 2,000 dose bags of fentanyl and a search of his residence revealed $29,408 in cash.

Cruz has been detained since his arrest.

The indictment charges Cruz with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Each of the charges carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, Durham said.