Meriden Man Charged With Trafficking Cocaine, Heroin: Feds

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden man faces a federal charge of trafficking cocaine and heroin after authorities say he coordinated drug shipments from California to Meriden last fall. Luis Martell, also known as “Fat Boy,” 34, was arrested and appeared in Bridgeport federal court on Wednesday, U.S. States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly announced in a press release.

As alleged in court documents, in late October 2016, law enforcement intercepted two parcels containing suspected narcotics that had been mailed from southern California to two different addresses in Meriden. On Nov. 2, 2016, a court-authorized search of the parcels revealed a total of approximately 6.5 kilograms of cocaine and approximately 1.06 kilograms of heroin, according to Daly. (To sign up for Meriden breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

On Nov. 2, 2016, Jose Davila, also known as “Flaco,” visited a post office in Meriden to inquire about one of the parcels. The next day, law enforcement made a controlled delivery of the second parcel to its intended address, according to Daly.

Daly said the residents of the house accepted the parcel on behalf of Justin Doherty and contacted Doherty on his cellphone. Doherty then arrived at the house in a car driven by Davila and both were arrested at that time.

Martell is accused of coordinating the shipment of the parcels that contained cocaine and heroin, and paying Doherty and Davila to accept the parcels on his behalf.

The federal complaint charges Martell with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and one or more kilogram of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, according to Daly.

On Jan. 20, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned a three-count indictment charging Davila, 32, and Doherty, 24, both of Meriden, with related offenses. They are awaiting trial, according to Daly.

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