Meriden Man Sentenced For Trafficking Cocaine: Feds

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden man has been sentenced to nearly eight years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine, according to officials.

Kervin Diaz, 39, was sentenced Monday to 95 months in prison, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery announced.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad determined that Harvey Lapan, of East Haven, “illegally distributed a variety of prescription and non-prescription drugs, including oxycodone, steroids and cocaine,” according to a news release.

“The investigation also revealed that Diaz coordinated shipments of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico and also received from cocaine from another source in New York, and distributed the cocaine to New Haven-area drug sellers, including Lapan,” officials wrote in the news release.

Officials said Lapan purchased 250 grams of cocaine from Diaz in March 2020, and in May 2020, Lapan purchased 500 grams of cocaine from Diaz.

“Diaz and his girlfriend, Alba Nieves, distributed cocaine and marijuana from Diaz’ business, Nino’s Mini Market, located on Washington Avenue in New Haven, and from Nieves’ business, Middletown Café, located on Middletown Avenue in New Haven,” the news release states.

Diaz was arrested on August 24, 2020. On that date, a search of his and Nieves’ Meriden residence revealed “narcotics trafficking paraphernalia, including a large scale hydraulic press, an electronic money counter, and 10 digital scales, many of which that contained cocaine residue,” according to officials.

Investigators also seized from the residence a “loaded high capacity 9mm gun magazine, and $5,130 in cash,” official said.

Diaz has been detained since his arrest. He pleaded guilty in February to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Lapan and Nieves pleaded guilty to related charges. Lapan awaits sentencing. Nieves was sentenced to three years of probation in May.