United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NOV 21 - NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration New England Division and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Josemanuel Rios, also known as “Jay,” 40, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven Hartford to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.  According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2016, a male and female overdosed at a motel in Enfield.  The overdoses were not fatal.  In the motel room, investigators found five wax folds that contained fentanyl.  Rios was identified as the source of the drugs ingested by the victims.  On February 26, 2016, a search of an East Hartford motel room that Rios was renting revealed approximately 200 bags of fentanyl stamped with the same image found on the bags in the Enfield motel room, and 13 bags of heroin stamped with a different image.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for February 14, 2017, at which time Rios faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Rios has been detained since his arrest on February 26, 2016. 

This matter has been investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Enfield Police Department.