Federal, state and local authorities arrested about 100 people in a massive takedown across southern New England in early morning raids on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in heroin and cocaine trafficking from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
The arrests involved more than 700 law enforcement officers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island, according to officials. About 52 people were arrested on charges of federal money laundering and 51 people were arrested on state narcotics and related charges, according to the Associated Press.
There are several individuals still being sought, as well as previous arrests of additional people involved.
The arrests are the result of a 15-month investigation that included wiretaps on 15 telephones, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of cocaine and heroin.
The investigation began to combat narcotics trafficking and money laundering in New London, according to criminal complaints unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in New Haven. Officials said the investigation showed two conspiracies, one involving heroin distribution and the other cocaine distribution that were based in New London.
Authorities seized drugs, weapons, cash and vehicles.
"We allege that the defendants arrested today were responsible for a very large percentage of the heroin and cocaine available for street sale in New London County," said U.S. Attorney David Fein.
Luis Ariel Capellan Maldonado, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, brought "multi-kilogram quantities" of heroin from his native country and worked with several individuals to distribute the product in southeastern Connecticut, according to officials. Maldonado operated out of his apartment, supplying customers with raw heroin, often in quantities of 50 to 150 grams.
Maldonado is being charged with coordinating the shipment of drugs using couriers from the Dominican Republic to the United States, as well as obtaining heroin in New York City and Rhode Island.
"They made the area a gateway for their illegal poison," Bruce Foucart, the special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said. "The fact is, we dismantled them."
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