8 New Haven Men Indicted In Heroin, Fentanyl Trafficking Case

NEW HAVEN, CT — An investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking operation has resulted in the grand jury indictments of 14 people, according to a statement from prosecutors. The individuals involved are accused of trafficking heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.

Malbin Rubiera-Herrera, aka "Chaca," 28, of New Haven is alleged to have acquired heroin and cocaine from sources in Connecticut and New Jersey and distributed the drugs through a network of associates in the greater New Haven area.

Investigators made controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine from Rubiera-Herrera last year, according to the statement, and wiretaps revealed a widespread narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the trafficking of kilogram-quantities of heroin into Connecticut.

In a raid of Rubiera-Herrera's Augustine Street residence on April 30, investigators discovered approximately 700 gross grams of fentanyl.

All of the accused are charged with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl, according to the statement.

Others indicted include

-- Juan Lantigua-Cid, aka "Manager," 46, of Linden, N.J.

-- Eduardo Ramos, 33, of Philadelphia

-- Brian Abreu, aka "Braga," 26, of New Haven

-- William Claudio-Suarez, aka "Willy," 33, of New Haven

-- Pedro Orta-Rivas, aka "Cuba" and "El Brujo," 50, of East Haven

-- Osvaldo Hodge, aka "Mono," 43, of New Haven

-- Steven Santos, 38, of Bridgeport

-- Jose Angel Suarez, 36, of Veja Baja, Puerto Rico

-- Mario Llanos-Ayala, 44, of Deltona, Fla.

-- Roberto Anthony Torres, aka "Toni," 52, of New Haven

-- Michael Miller, 38, of New Haven

-- Takai Quntay Bellamy, 25, of New Haven

-- Christian Rivera-Torres, aka "Pantera," 40 of New Haven

The indictment also charges Rubiera-Herrera, Abreu, Orta-Rivas and Hodge with one or more counts of possession with intent to distribute various narcotics.

Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The indictment stems from an investigation headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department.

This case is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, East Haven Police Department, Easton Police Department, Orange Police Department, and the Cape May County (N.J.) Prosecutor’s Office, Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force.