New Haven Man, 32, Admits Role In Cocaine Trafficking Ring: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — A 32-year-old New Haven man pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking, federal prosecutors announced.

Jose Rodriquez-Caraballo, pleaded to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in U.S. District Court. Rodriquez-Caraballo, also known as "Puma," faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum term of life in prison, said the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

In November 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a suspicious package sent through the mail from New Haven to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, prosecutors said. That package had $102,450 in cash inside, authorities said.

According to the U.S. Attorney, an associate of Rodriguez-Caraballo supervised the receipt of packages with "kilogram quantities" of cocaine. Rodriguez-Caraballo picked up the parcels, repackaged the cocaine, and helped distribute it to other drug sellers and customers, prosecutors said. Once sold, the "proceeds" were sent to Puerto Rico.

Law enforcement intercepted multiple parcels of cocaine and U.S. currency sent through the mail, according to the U.S. Attorney.

Rodriguez-Caraballo was arrested March 18, 2021, after he traveled with a co-conspirator to complete a cocaine transaction and around two kilograms of cocaine and a firearm were seized, prosecutors said.

In jail since he was arrested, he'll be sentenced April 21.

The New Haven Police Department assisted in the investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney.