United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

BRIDGEPORT RESTAURANT OPERATOR WHO TRAFFICKED COCAINE IS SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARCOS MORLA, age 43, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Stratford, Connecticut, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. On February 27, 2007, MORLA pleaded guilty 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.

MORLA faces deportation to the Dominican Republic following his term of imprisonment.

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

CONTACT:

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