Simsbury Man Indicted As Part Of Drug Trafficking Ring

NEW HAVEN, CT — A total of 19 people were indicted as part of a large drug dealing operating, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. More than a kilogram of cocaine, 360 grams of fentanyl and more than 500 grams of suspected heroin were seized or bought through controlled purchases.

Investigators also seized more than $90,000 in cash and other valuables along with three firearms, according to the indictment.

“As alleged, this drug trafficking organization, which used multiple sources of supply, has been responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of heroin and cocaine in Connecticut,” said U.S. Attorney John Durham.

The indictment alleges that Duane Filyaw of West Haven operated the trafficking ring in the New Haven area.

Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine. Some defendants face at least 10 years in prison if convicted and also face the possibility of a life sentence.

“The New Haven Police Department is proud of the hard work put in by our officers and our state and federal partners in bringing those involved in illegal drug trade to justice,” said New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell.

The following people were charged:

• DUANE FILYAW, 34, of New Haven
• NEFTALI FERNANDEZ, a.k.a. “Nef,” 31, of Meriden
• LEON GREENE, a.k.a. “Gotti,” 43, of Cheshire
• RAFAEL SERRANO, 43, of West Haven
• SALVATORE ORSINI, 27, of West Haven
• CHRISTOPHER SERRANO, a.k.a. “Mancho,” 34, of Milford
• NORMAN EDGARDO PEREZ, a.k.a. “Rico,” of Oakland, Calif.
• LORENZO MORALES-ARAMBULA, a.k.a. “Viejo,” 56, of Mexico (in ICE custody)
• NATIVIDAD DIAZ, a.k.a. “Nat,” 34, of Meriden
• JOHNATHAN BRITO, 24, of Waterbury
• HARRISON ELBA, 27, of Simsbury
• GABRIEL ROMERO ESCALERA, 27, of San Juan, P.R.
• BIRL JACKSON, 36, of New Haven (in state custody)
• STEVEN McCOY, a.k.a. “S Dot,” 25, of New Haven
• STEPHEN JONES, a.k.a. “EVX” and “Stevie D,” 33, of New Haven
• HAKEEM BASIR, a.k.a. “Neil Ford,” 54, of Waterbury
• CARLOS OVALLE, a.k.a. “Carlos Tirado,” 46, of East Hartford
• NIGEL JONES, 36, of New Haven
• SAMUEL CRUZ, 40, of New Haven

Filyaw, Fernandez, Greene, Perez, Morales-Arambula, Diaz, Escalera and Ovalle face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years while Rafael Serrano, Orsini, Christopher Serrano, Brito, Elba, Jackson, McCoy, Stephen Jones, Basir and Cruz face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years.

“All illicit drugs being sold in our communities are a problem, but the illegal distribution of opioids has proven to be the greater issue here and across this country,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia Ferrick. “We at the FBI along with the DEA, New Haven Police Department and many other law enforcement partners are once again proving that we will make illicit drug sales in our communities a priority. We will continue to dismantle groups like this in every city in our effort to save lives.”

Image via Shutterstock