CONTACT: Tom Carson, Public Information Office, (203) 821-3722, (203) 996-1393 (cell) .

(Hartford) - Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Michael J. Wolf, Special Agent in Charge of the Connecticut Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Mark Pawlina, Acting Chief of the Hartford Police Department, today announced the conclusion of a seven-month investigation that targeted a drug distribution network that supplied cocaine to members of the Savage Nomad street gang and their associates. A total of 14 individuals to date have been arrested and charged with the distribution of cocaine. U.S. Attorney O'Connor indicated that at least one additional arrest is expected. On February 25, 2004, a federal grand jury sitting in Hartford returned a 20-count Indictment against the 15 individuals.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor said that the investigation, code named "Operation Close Trim," included federal wiretaps on eight different telephones, months of surveillance, and numerous purchases of cocaine in the vicinity of the Hour Glass Tavern at 1999 Park Street in Hartford. The investigation initially targeted members of the Savage Nomad street gang who distributed cocaine in the south end of Hartford. As a result of this investigation, law enforcement officials executed search warrants for three alleged stash houses and seized over four kilograms of cocaine, approximately ½ of a kilogram of crack cocaine, over $74,000 in cash, an electronic money counter, two loaded hand guns and a Romanian-made, AK-47 style assault rifle with two loaded banana clips. Also, to date, three cars have been seized during the operation.

RENE CARRASQUILLO, age 31 (DOB 5/11/72), of 164 Adelaide Street, Hartford, has been charged with possession of cocaine and "crack" cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possession of a handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the narcotics charges, he will be subject to term of incarceration of as much as life, a minimum mandatory term of incarceration of 10 years and a fine of as much as $4 million. If convicted on the weapons charge, he will be subject to an additional term of five years that must run consecutively to any sentence of imprisonment imposed on the drug charges.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor indicated that the defendants are charged with being members of

drug conspiracy and/or distributing cocaine in Hartford. He indicated that the conspiracy allegedly provided cocaine to individuals as far north as Springfield, Massachusetts. CARRASQUILLO and the following individuals have been charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and, under federal law, they are subject to term of incarceration of as much as 40 years, a minimum mandatory term of incarceration of 5 years, and a fine of as much as $2 million:

GILBERTO MONTANO, age 28 (DOB 8/28/75)
636 Alden Street, Springfield, MA

WILLIAM GUEVARA, aka "Chino," age 34 (DOB 4/20/69),
357 Brittany Farms Road, Apt 144, New Britain, CT

HECTOR CARRASQUILLO, a.k.a. "T," age 33 (DOB 11/27/70)
197 Woodland Heights, Cromwell, CT

ROBERT LOPEZ, age 30 (DOB 10/29/73)
252 South Street, New Britain, CT

ALCADIO ESTEVEZ, a.k.a. "Radanes Mojica," age 37 (DOB 2/15/67)
Address unknown

ALEXANDER APONTE, age 32 (DOB 3/24/71)
135 Campfield Avenue, Hartford, CT

VICTOR VEGA, age 25 (DOB 1/16/79)
No address known

JOSE COLON, age 38 (DOB 11/24/65)
333 Divinity Street, New Britain, CT

The following individuals have been charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine and, under federal law, they are subject to term of incarceration of as much as 20 years and a fine of as much as $1 million:

REBECCA NEWTON, age 37 (DOB  3/17/66)
101 Babcock Street, Hartford, CT

RICARDO PEREZ, a.k.a. "Ricky," age 29 (DOB  10/3/74)
102 Whiting Street, East Hartford, CT

MIGUEL ALGARIN, a.k.a. "Miguel Perez," age 31 (DOB  9/16/72)
34-G Millpond Road, Broadbrook, Connecticut

MITA LOPEZ, age 35 (DOB  5/23/68)
252 South Street, New Britain, CT

JOHNNY VASQUEZ, a.k.a. "Little Johnny," age 34 (DOB  3/22/69)
509 Burnside Ave, Apt, A-7, East Hartford, CT

Finally, LUIS CARRASQUILLO, a.k.a. "Chuchi," age 33 (DOB  12/17/70) of 350 Wethersfield Avenue and 290 Maple Avenue, Hartford, has been charged with maintaining an apartment on Maple Street as a storage location for both cocaine and crack cocaine. If convicted, he is subject to a term of incarceration of up to twenty years and a fine of as much as $500,000.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor indicated that LUIS CARRASQUILLO, a.k.a. "Chuchi," is currently a fugitive from justice and is being actively sought by the FBI. Citizens with information concerning the present whereabouts of this individual should contact FBI Special Agents Robert Bornstein or William Aldenberg at (203) 238-0505.

"Thanks to excellent investigative work, this operation was successful in dismantling an organization that distributed cocaine throughout the city of Hartford, to other parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts, and to members of the Savage Nomads," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Wolf added "This investigation is another example of how law enforcement agencies working together can rid the streets of individuals poisoning our communities with drugs and violence."

"The joint efforts between the FBI and the Hartford Police are designed to reduce the drug trade in Hartford," Acting Hartford Chief Pawlina stated. "The success of this operation represents a step toward that goal. The Hartford Police Department will continue to work in conjunction with federal authorities to prosecute those who commit crimes involving narcotics and firearms."

U.S. Attorney O'Connor complimented the FBI, the Hartford Police Department and the Windsor Police Department for their efforts in this case. He stressed that an indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to fair trials in which it is the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant United States Attorney Raymond F. Miller, who is a member of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, is prosecuting this case. ###