Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut has an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The Chief of the Task Force is Peter D. Markle, who is responsible for supervising all narcotics prosecutions in the District. AUSA Markle supervises five Assistant United States Attorneys who are designated as OCDETF AUSAs and who work exclusively on OCDETF investigations and prosecutions. In addition, AUSA Markle supervises two AUSAs who are designated as narcotics AUSAs, and are responsible for both OCDETF and non-OCDETF narcotics prosecutions. The office has four support staff members assigned to the OCDETF unit who assist the unit in reaching its goals and objectives.

The OCDETF program's mandate is to identify, target, investigate, prosecute and dismantle those drug trafficking organizations that have the greatest adverse impact on Connecticut's communities. OCDETF cases target major drug trafficking operations responsible for the distribution of large quantities of narcotics. OCDETF cases involve federal, state and local law enforcement members working together in a cooperative, coordinated and sustained manner and OCDETF AUSAs are assigned to work hand in hand with these collaborative law enforcement investigations and are responsible for the prosecutions that result from such investigations.

The success of the OCDETF program in our District is due in great part to the existence of three interagency task forces comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement officers, which are responsible for addressing the threat presented by violent drug gangs and other traffickers. The investigations conducted by these law enforcement task forces and the prosecutions handled by our OCDETF AUSAs often involve long-term investigations and extensive electronic surveillance, aimed at dismantling entire drug trafficking organizations, and have led to the arrests, prosecutions and convictions of hundreds of significant drug traffickers. In addition, the OCDETF and Narcotics AUSAs work with federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, BICE, IRS and ATF, on a daily basis to uncover and successfully prosecute those involved in the distribution of narcotics and related criminal activity.

Significant recent investigations and prosecutions include:

Double Jeopardy: Beginning in late 2003, a DEA-led Task Force initiated an investigation into a crack cocaine distribution ring headed by Julius Moorning. Between January and May 2004, the Task Force intercepted more than 25,000 pertinent conversations on cell phones utilized by Moorning and his associates. The evidence established that Moorning’s organization was distributing approximately six kilograms of crack cocaine per week to a wide customer base in the New Haven area, along the Connecticut shoreline and into the Naugatuck Valley. Forty-nine defendants were charged and convicted as a result of the investigation. Moorning was sentenced to more than 17 years of imprisonment.

Willimantic: Operation WilliRiders, led by the FBI, and Operation Sapo, led by the DEA, targeted the distribution of heroin into and around Willimantic. In the Summer of 2005, the investigations culminated with charges being brought against more than 50 defendants, nearly all of whom have been convicted.

Big Boy: Operation Big Boy was a 10-month investigation in 2004 that included federal wiretaps on nine different telephones, months of surveillance, and numerous purchases and seizures of crack cocaine in Hartford. More than 60 individuals were charged and have been convicted of federal narcotics offenses as a result of the investigation.

U.S. vs Alex Luna, et al: In March 2005, federal and local law enforcement arrested Alex Luna and others involved in the multi-kilogram distribution of crack and powder cocaine in the Danbury area. A total of 24 individuals were charged and have been convicted as a result of this DEA and Danbury Police investigation.

Two Terrences: In April 2003, the DEA Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force initiated an investigation into a Bridgeport-based cocaine distribution organization headed by Luis Quiles. From 2000 to 2004, the organization imported approximated 50 kilograms of cocaine on a monthly basis into Connecticut. In early 2004, Quiles and more than 50 other individuals were arrested on federal or state charges. All have been convicted. The Task Force also seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine, a cache of weapons, 10 vehicles and more than $1,000,000 in drug-related proceeds. In June 2005, Quiles was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.

Close Trim: In February 2004, a grand jury returned an Indictment charging 15 individuals for their participation in a drug distribution network that supplied cocaine to members of the Savage Nomad street gang and their associates. The seven-month FBI-led investigation included wiretaps on eight different telephones, months of surveillance, and numerous purchases of cocaine in the vicinity of the Hour Glass Tavern at 1999 Park Street in Hartford. Law enforcement seized a substantial quantity of powder and crack cocaine, cash, two loaded handguns and an AK-47 style assault rifle. Nearly all of the defendants were sentenced to prison terms.

United States v. Kelvin Burden, et al: This case involved the prosecution of the Burden Organization, a violent drug organization operating principally in Norwalk and Bridgeport. The prosecution netted in excess of 30 convictions on a range of charges, including racketeering-related murder and attempted murder, drug conspiracy and criminal use of firearms. Five of the defendants were convicted of violent crimes associated with turf wars in South Norwalk. The violent feud created havoc in South Norwalk and led to extreme violence, including the shooting death of Derek Owens, an innocent bystander. Another victim, Marquis Young, was rendered a paraplegic. While the vast majority of the defendants pleaded guilty, five of the most culpable defendants, including Kelvin Burden, the leader of the organization, proceeded to trial. These five defendants were each found guilty of racketeering and narcotics related charges and now face lengthy prison terms. Kelvin Burden faces mandatory life in prison as a result of the jury's verdict. In addition, criminal forfeiture charges resulted in the seizure of more than $80,000, a Mercedes Benz, and a BMW.

Big Mack Attack: In late 2001, the New Haven Drug/Gang Task Force commenced an investigation targeting the drug trafficking activity of Richard Mack and his associates, who controlled a large-scale crack trafficking operation that was based in the Quinnipiac Terrace Housing complex in New Haven. The 11-month investigation involved conventional surveillance, supervised purchases of cocaine base, and five months of court-authorized wiretaps on eight telephones. The electronic surveillance, in conjunction with evidence derived from the other law enforcement techniques, established that Mack's crack operation had a source of supply based in New York City who was also supplying two other crack distribution operations in Connecticut: One operating in the Hill section of New Haven and the other based in the towns of Ansonia and Derby. The investigation resulted in the return of three indictments, and approximately 30 individuals from New York and Connecticut were charged and convicted as a result. In addition, approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine base and 2 kilograms of cocaine were seized, and more than $411,000 in U.S. currency and five motor vehicles have been forfeited.

Robert Jones: This investigation led to the arrest of Robert Jones, a Sergeant with the Waterbury Police Department, on charges that he committed a Hobbs Act Extortion. Jones agreed to help a local drug trafficker, who was cooperating with law enforcement authorities, steal 500 grams of cocaine and $14,000 in cash from an undercover agent who was posing as a customer of the drug trafficker. The staged arrest was captured on videotape by the investigators. Jones was paid $3,500 for his assistance. Jones was sentenced to 38 months imprisonment and was ordered to forfeit the $3,500 in cash and the vehicle he used to meet with the cooperating witness.

Goal Tender: This case involved the prosecution of more than two dozen members of a Colombian drug trafficking organization based locally in Fairfield County and New York. In total, 26 individuals were convicted in state and federal court of various drug trafficking offenses and given sentences ranging from five to ten years. More than three kilograms of cocaine, approximately 1.5 kilograms of heroin, five firearms and approximately $400,000 in U.S. currency were seized during the investigation.

Jungle Boys Gang: This violent drug gang was located in the Church Street South Housing Complex in New Haven. Sixteen members of the gang were convicted and its leaders were sentenced to prison terms in excess of 20 years.

Ville Gang: This drug trafficking operation was based in the heart of the Newhallville community. Ten defendants were convicted, including leader Lloyd Streater, who was sentenced to a 40-year term of imprisonment.

Ghetto Boyz: The prosecution of this crack operation in the Farnam Court public housing project resulted in the conviction of eleven defendants, including leaders Ryan "Bean" Baldwin and Todd "T.O." Davender; who were both sentenced to prison terms in excess of 20 years.

Los Solidos: This violent drug gang was responsible for controlling and operating four drug gates and committing numerous murders, including the murder of a 7-year-old girl, Marcelina Delgado. Over sixty members of the organization were convicted and its leaders and those responsible for murders were sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Fiesta Bowl: Twenty defendants were indicted for their role in a Meriden cocaine operation. Multiple kilos of cocaine, handguns and an AK-47 were seized and to date, one leader received a sentence of 14 years' imprisonment.

Silver City: Twenty-nine federal defendants were indicted for their role in a Meriden crack operation. Ten kilograms of crack cocaine and 18 pounds of marijuana were seized and the sentences imposed have typically involved ten-year mandatory minimum terms of incarceration.

Nelton Court: Fourteen defendants were indicted in a PCP operation selling to customers in Hartford, Western Connecticut and Massachusetts. Gallons of PCP, $12,000 in cash and two guns were seized.

El Tio: Six defendants indicted, including a former state corrections officer, for their participation in a New Britain cocaine and steroid ring. Approximately four kilos of cocaine was seized and two of the defendants have been sentenced to 14- and 9- year terms of imprisonment.

Latin Kings: The most widespread and violent drug gang in Connecticut, more than one hundred of its members have been convicted for drug distribution and 10 murders committed in New Haven and Bridgeport. The leaders of the organization were sentenced to life terms of imprisonment without parole.