United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

BRIDGEPORT RESTAURANT OPERATOR PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL COCAINE TRAFFICKING CHARGE

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARCOS MORLA, age 42, formerly of 241 Knowlton Street, Stratford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty yesterday, February 27, before United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, MORLA, who operated Morla Restaurant at 420 East Main Street in Bridgeport, made trips every two or three weeks to New York City in 2006 to obtain substantial amounts of cocaine. Upon returning to Connecticut, MORLA would distribute the cocaine at a profit to various street sellers around Bridgeport. Federal search warrants executed at MORLA’s residence and restaurant on October 4, 2006, yielded approximately 400 grams of cocaine, drug records, and more than $20,000 in cash.

Judge Arterton has scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2007, at which time MORLA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the terms of his plea agreement, MORLA has agreed to forfeit to the Government his residence at 241 Knowlton Street in Stratford and all of the seized cash.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport Drug Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Harold H. Chen.

CONTACT:

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