FL Man Gets 5 Years In Prison For CT Drug Sales: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — A Florida man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for trafficking drugs into Connecticut, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Mario Llanos-Ayala, 45, of Deltona, FL, will also serve four years of supervised release.

His arrest came after an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department into fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine sales in the greater New Haven area.

In March 2019, investigators said they intercepted a wiretap involving Malbin Rubiera-Herrera,William Claudio-Suarez, and Llanos-Ayala discussing the shipment of two kilograms of cocaine into the state. In a March 7 call, Llanos-Ayala and an associate also discussed the sale of a kilogram of cocaine and said they were traveling through New Jersey, according to the statement.

Investigators alerted New Jersey law enforcement who stopped and searched the car and recovered approximately one kilogram of cocaine, a loaded .45 caliber handgun, and more than $2,500 in cash.

Llanos-Ayala was arrested on New Jersey state charges in March 22, 2019. He has been detained since his arrest.

On June 5, 2019, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Llanos-Ayala, Rubiera-Herrera, Claudio-Suarez and 11 other individuals with fentanyl, heroin and cocaine trafficking offenses.

On Sept. 25, 2019, Llano-Ayala pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine and a quantity of heroin.