Accused Norwich Cocaine Dealer Enters Court Plea: U.S. Attorney

NORWICH, CT — A 31-year-old Norwich man, arrested in December 2017 on cocaine dealing charges, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney John H. Durham.

Joseph Barros waived his right to be indicted in his guilty plea, and will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on October 31.

According to court documents and prosecutors, in June 2017, "law enforcement received information that Barros was distributing cocaine and other drugs in southeastern Connecticut."

Investigators made three controlled purchases of cocaine from Barros, and a wiretap investigation revealed that Barros was supplying cocaine to local distributors, according to Durham.

Barros faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison, and he is currently free on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the New London FBI Task Force with the assistance of the Norwich Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson.

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