United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

LEADER OF HARTFORD-BASED HEROIN TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
                                                           
Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FELIX J. CANCEL, JR., also known as “Feilo” and “Gordo,” 34, of Hartford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 240 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for his participation in a Hartford-based heroin distribution organization that he headed with his brother, Jose Juan Cancel, also known as “Minin” and “Mingo.”   On October 17, 2007, FELIX CANCEL pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and one count of money laundering.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, this matter stems from a 10-month investigation headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police.  The investigation included the use of undercover agents, confidential informants, controlled purchases and court-authorized wiretaps on telephones known to be used by the CANCELS.  During the wiretap phase of the investigation, the CANCEL brothers participated in numerous, intercepted calls that pertained to narcotics trafficking.  The investigation revealed that the CANCELS regularly obtained bulk quantities of heroin, principally from a New York source of supply.  The CANCEL brothers and several co-conspirators would then process the bulk supplies of heroin by grinding it and mixing it with diluents, after which the heroin was packaged for re-distribution.  The CANCEL organization packaged heroin in two forms: “Bundles,” a term commonly used in the heroin trade to refer to 10 small, single-dosage-unit bags of heroin tied or bundled together; and “Wheels,” a term used by the organization when referring to 50 grams of heroin pressed into a flat, cylindrical shape and heat-sealed in plastic. The CANCELS distributed the “bundles” and “wheels” of heroin, often on consignment, to mid-level dealers or street-level dealers affiliated with the organization, who in turn re-distributed the heroin to lower-level dealers or users.

The CANCEL organization operated at least two heroin “mills” in Hartford, one at 524-526 Franklin Avenue and the other at 2 Fraser Place, where it processed and packaged heroin for redistribution.  On February 9, 2007, Hartford police seized approximately two kilograms of heroin from an apartment located at 2 Fraser Place in Hartford.

The investigation revealed that the CANCEL organization was responsible for the distribution of more than one kilogram of heroin on a weekly basis.  One kilogram of heroin can produce approximately 50,000 single-dosage-unit bags, with an approximate street value of $500,000.

In addition to his term of incarceration, FELIX CANCEL will forfeit to the Government his interest in real property located at 98 Porter Street in Granby, Massachusetts.

Jose Juan Cancel also has pleaded guilty to charges related to his participation in this heroin trafficking organization.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4 at 10:00 a.m.

The CANCEL brothers have been detained since their arrests in March 2007.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Connecticut State Police and several local police departments that participate on a DEA Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Patrick F. Caruso of the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov