United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

WETHERSFIELD MAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROLE IN HEROIN TRAFFICKING OPERATION

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDUARDO MARTINEZ-RUIZ, 35, of Wells Road, Wethersfield, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a Hartford narcotics trafficking operation.  On June 2, 2008, MARTINEZ-RUIZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in July 2006, a Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force initiated an investigation into the distribution of cocaine and heroin in Hartford.  During the investigation, wiretap authorizations were obtained that allowed the interception of drug distribution related conversations being conducted over five different cellular telephones. Additionally, controlled purchases of both heroin and cocaine were made on multiple occasions.  In June 2007, 18 individuals were charged with various narcotics offenses as a result of the investigation.

During the wiretap investigation, conversations between MARTINEZ-RUIZ and a wholesale distributor of heroin were intercepted and recorded.  The calls revealed that MARTINEZ-RUIZ acted as an intermediary between the wholesale distributor and others who would purchase quantities of heroin from the distributor for resale.

Acting United States Attorney Dannehy commended the Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration Hartford Resident Office and the officers from the Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester and Southington police departments assigned to the Hartford DEA Task Force who participated in this long-term investigation.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. Runowicz.

CONTACT:

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