United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

HARTFORD MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROLE IN HEROIN TRAFFICKING RING

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN MARTINEZ, also known as “Mofle,” 26, of Hartford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.  On August 23, 2007, MARTINEZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute between three and 10 kilograms of heroin.  The charge stems from his involvement in a Hartford-based heroin distribution organization headed by Felix J. Cancel, Jr., also known as “Feilo” and “Gordo,” and his brother, Jose Juan Cancel, also known as “Minin” and “Mingo,” both of Hartford.

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.

MARTINEZ worked in these heroin mills where he helped the Cancel brothers process and package heroin for redistribution.

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.

On May 9, 2008, Felix Cancel, Jr. was sentenced to 240 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release.  Jose Juan Cancel is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Thompson on Monday, July 21, at 3:30 p.m.

This matter is being 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 Assistant United States Attorney Patrick F. Caruso of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

CONTACT:

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