Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Legal professional for the District of Connecticut, introduced that KISHON SHIELDS, often known as “L.A.” and “Key,” 25, of New Haven, was sentenced at the moment by U.S. District Choose Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, adopted by 4 years of supervised launch, for his function in New Haven drug trafficking ring.
In line with courtroom paperwork and statements made in courtroom, within the fall of 2021, the New Haven Protected Streets/Gang Job Pressure and New Haven Police Division started investigating a drug trafficking ring that was distributing fentanyl, heroin crack and cocaine in and across the West Hills neighborhood, together with the McConaughy Terrace housing complicated situated on South Genesee Avenue in New Haven. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, fastened video surveillance and managed purchases of narcotics, revealed {that a} member of the conspiracy was receiving heroin and fentanyl from an out-of-state provider, and kilogram portions of cocaine by means of the U.S. Mail from a supply in Puerto Rico. Shields and his coconspirators packaged fentanyl and crack on the McConaughy Terrace housing complicated, and referred prospects to at least one one other with the intention to distribute the medicine from that location.
Through the investigation, legislation enforcement seized roughly 19 kilograms of cocaine, greater than 7,000 luggage of fentanyl, 5 firearms, and greater than $780,000 in money.
On February 15, 2022, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Protect and 7 co-defendants. On November 28, 2022, Shields pleaded responsible to at least one depend of conspiracy to distribute and to own with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine.
This investigation is being performed by the FBI’s New Haven Protected Streets/Gang Job Pressure with the help of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Job Pressure contains contributors from the New Haven Police Division, Milford Police Division, East Haven Police Division, West Haven Police Division, Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Division of Correction.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Kenneth L. Gresham by means of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Job Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, cash launderers, gangs and transnational legal organizations by means of a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven method that leverages the strengths of federal, state and native legislation enforcement businesses. Further details about the OCDETF Program might be discovered at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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