Norwich Man Sentenced In Heroin Trafficking Case: U.S. Attorney

NORWICH, CT — A 27-year-old Norwich man was sentenced Tuesday to 28 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised released, in connection with a federal heroin trafficking case, announced United States Attorney John H. Durham.

Nehamiah Carroll was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford. In May, Carroll pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin. He has been detained since his arrest in November, 2017.

According to prosecutors and court documents, the case stems from an investigation that began after several heroin overdoses in southeastern Connecticut, including two overdose deaths involving a heroin and fentanyl mix that occurred in January 2016.

"The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Michael Luciano operated a drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin to numerous street-level dealers, including Carroll, in southeastern Connecticut," wrote prosecutors in a statement.

In October and November 2017, investigators "surveilled Carroll as he purchased distribution quantities of heroin from the Luciano organization," and at the time, Carroll was on state parole for a prior drug offense. Carroll was arrested in November of 2017 on state charges after investigators observed him making several hand-to-hand drug transactions from a vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately five grams of heroin and more than eight grams of crack cocaine.

Luciano, of New London, has been detained since his arrest in November of 2017, and Carroll, Luciano and 19 others were indicted on heroin trafficking charges in December. Last month, Luciano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, one kilogram or more of heroin.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and the New London, Norwich, Waterford, Attleboro (Mass.) and Freetown (Mass.) Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

Image via Shutterstock

To sign up for Norwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.