Suffield Man Among 17 Indicted for Cocaine Trafficking

NEW HAVEN, CT — A total of 17 individuals, including a Suffield resident, were indicted Wednesday on federal narcotics offenses relating to the trafficking of cocaine and crack cocaine in central Connecticut

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Shelly A. Binkowski, Inspector in Charge for the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, announced the unsealing of two indictments charging the individuals. Thirteen of the 17 defendants were arrested Wednesday, and three defendants have been incarcerated in state custody. One defendant is currently being sought.

The case stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force that included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of crack cocaine, and seizures of cocaine and cash proceeds, Daly said.

According to statements made in court, it is alleged that Westley Northrup, formerly of Meriden, operated a cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring while he was incarcerated in state custody. Northrup conspired with Carlos Roman, of Middletown, to purchase cocaine from suppliers including Omar Rivera, convert some of the cocaine to crack cocaine, and then distribute crack and cocaine through a network of dealers, Daly said.

Further investigation revealed that Rivera, of New Britain, was being supplied by Orlando Quiros of Suffield, who regularly received packages containing multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico. Quiros’ operation was assisted by individuals who agreed to accept delivery of the packages, and by Steven Riccelli, a U.S. Postal Service employee, Daly said.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers intercepted and seized approximately $240,000 in cash that Quiros had in a vehicle he was driving from Connecticut to New York, Daly said.

On July 26, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately seven kilograms of cocaine, several pounds of marijuana, three firearms, and nearly $100,000 in cash.

“The seizure of seven kilograms of cocaine in this case makes clear that these defendants were significant drug traffickers with multiple sources in Connecticut, as alleged in the indictments,” Daly said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working closely with the DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our state and local law enforcement partners to shut down these drug pipelines and prosecute those responsible.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling large-scale drug trafficking organizations like this one operating in the central Connecticut area,” Ferguson said. “This prolific organization was responsible for supplying kilogram quantities of cocaine throughout the state of Connecticut. As we all know, drug trafficking, along with the gun and physical violence that often accompanies it, is a serious threat to our families and our communities. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts in Connecticut and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to seek and bring to justice anyone who engages in these crimes.”

“The arrest of these individuals is an example of the commitment of Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners to bring to justice anyone who uses the U.S. Mail to facilitate the transport of illegal drugs, ensuring the safety of the mail, our employees and customers,” Binkowski said.

On July 20, 2017, a grand jury in New Haven returned a nine-count indictment charging 11 individuals with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”):

• Westley Northrup, a.k.a. “Piff,” 29, of Meriden
• Carlos Roman, a.k.a. “Frizz,” 37, of Middletown
• Denise Hernandez, a.k.a. “Booty,” 29, of Meriden
• Rigoberto Hernandez, a.k.a. “Tito,” 36, of Meriden
• Shane Blake, 34, of Bristol
• Omar Rivera, a.k.a. “O,” 34, of New Britain
• Antonio Miranda, a.k.a. “Tone” and “Primo,” 28, of New Britain
• Calvin Vaughn, a.k.a. “Squeaks,” 34, of Middletown
• Turon Davis, a.k.a. “Slim,” 39, of Middletown
• Kasean White, a.k.a. “Slay,” 29, of Middletown
• Derrick Bryant, 26, of Middletown

If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics charged, Northrup, Roman and Rivera face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Denise Hernandez, Rigoberto Hernandez, Blake, Miranda and Kasean White face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Vaughn, Davis and Bryant face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, according to Daly.

The indictment also charges Roman with multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, crack cocaine and/or cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime.

On July 20, 2017, the grand jury in New Haven returned a three-count indictment charging seven persons with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine:

• Orlando Quiros, a.k.a. “O” and “Gordo,” 40, of Suffield
• Leonael Quiros, a.k.a. “Haze,” 33, of New Britain
• Corey Best, 32, of Bloomfield
• Lisette Pperez, 34, of Springfield, Mass.
• Steven Riccelli, 42, of Unionville
• Luis Arroyo, 56, of New Britain
• Omar Rivera, a.k.a. “O,” 34, of New Britain (also charged in the Northrup indictment)

If convicted of this charge, with the exception of Rivera, each defendant faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Rivera faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years on this charge, Daly said.

The indictment also charges Orlando Quiros, Leonel Quiros and Best one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and Orlando Quiros with one count of use of a facility in interstate commerce to distribute the proceed of drug trafficking.

Northrup, Roman and Miranda have been incarcerated in state custody. Kasean White is currently being sought.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Middletown and New Britain Police Departments. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, FBI and the Suffield, Bloomfield and Springfield (Mass.) Police Departments assisted with the arrests.

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