New Haven Man Part Of 'Drug Ring' Sentenced

NEW HAVEN, CT — A New Haven man will serve 30 months in prison for distributing heroin and cocaine, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Michael Miller, 38, will also serve three years of supervised release.

Miller was tied to a ring led by Malbin Rubiera-Herrera, aka "Chaca," who acquired heroin and cocaine from sources in Connecticut and New Jersey and distributed the drugs through a network of associates, including Miller, in the greater New Haven area, according to the statement.

Between October and December 2018, investigators made controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine from Rubiera-Herrera. An April 2019 bust of Rubiera-Herrera's home found approximately 300 grams of fentanyl.

Court-authorized wiretaps revealed a widespread narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the trafficking of kilogram-quantities of heroin into Connecticut, according to the statement.

In January and February 2019, Miller was intercepted numerous times on recorded calls and text messages ordering distribution quantities of heroin and cocaine from Rubiera-Herrera. At the time, Miller was on escape status with the State of Connecticut, as he had failed to return to a halfway house where he was serving a state sentence in September 2018.

In August, Miller pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent, to distribute heroin and cocaine.