John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEREMY RODRIGUEZ, 22, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 121 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was selling large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine in Hartford. Julio Oliveras, also known as “Cuzzo Jay,” was identified as the leader of the organization. The investigation, which included approximately six months of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that Oliveras supplied wholesale quantities of narcotics to Rodriguez and other Hartford-area drug dealers, and used multiple locations in Hartford to process, store and distribute narcotics.
Rodriguez stashed and sold narcotics at his Spring Street residence and a Bedford Street location.
Oliveras, Rodriguez and other members of the organization were arrested on July 19, 2018. On that date, investigators executed 10 search warrants and seized approximately 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, approximately 500 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, cash, and other evidence of narcotics trafficking activity.
Rodriguez was arrested at his Spring Street residence. A search of his home at the time of his arrest revealed approximately 115 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, approximately 1,500 bags of fentanyl with a net weight of 23 grams, and a .45 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number. A search of the Bedford Street location revealed a .357 caliber revolver.
On August 2, 2018, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Oliveras, Rodriguez and 14 co-defendants with various offenses.
Rodriguez has been detained since his arrest. On October 23, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments. Agencies assisting the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, New Britain, Newington and West Hartford Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.