United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Lamar Powell, 60, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a southwestern Connecticut narcotics trafficking ring. 

This matter stems from a six-month investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad.  As a result of the investigation, 20 individuals were charged with various federal offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.  In addition, law enforcement officers seized more than $100,000 in cash, 500 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of crack cocaine, several vehicles and jewelry.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that Marvin Wooten, also known as “Smash,” of Norwalk, was operating a significant crack cocaine distribution ring in Fairfield County.  Between September 2012 and January 2013, Wooten regularly purchased multi-hundred gram quantities of cocaine from various sources of supply, including Powell, and also from individuals who were distributing cocaine out of a Bridgeport barbershop.  Wooten then converted the cocaine to crack cocaine and distributed it to other dealers and customers.       During the investigation, Wooten met with Powell on several occasions to purchase hundreds of grams of cocaine.

On July 11, 2013, Powell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine (“crack cocaine”) and 500 grams or more of powder cocaine.
Wooten also pleaded guilty and, on May 22, 2013, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) Task Force - including the Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Milford, Westport, and Stratford Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police - and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad.  The U.S. Marshals Service also assisted in the arrests of several of the defendants.