Home New Haven Press Releases 2009 New Haven Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison
Info
This is archived material from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function.

New Haven Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

U.S. Attorney’s Office May 18, 2009
  • District of Connecticut (203) 821-3700

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SALVADOR BAEZ, also known as “Sal B,” 32, of James Street, New Haven, was sentenced on Friday, May 15, by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine, crack and heroin in and around New Haven. On September 5, 2008, BAEZ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, this matter stems from a 10-month investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force into a narcotics trafficking organization headed by BAEZ’ brother, Nelson Rodriguez, also known as “Nellie Rock.” The investigation included the use of confidential informants, controlled purchases of drugs and court-authorized wiretaps on telephones known to be used by Rodriguez and his associates to distribute narcotics. The investigation revealed that BAEZ, Rodriguez and others were distributing cocaine, and that BAEZ, with the help of his employer, also laundered financial proceeds from his narcotics distribution.  BAEZ regularly converted small-denomination bills into large denomination bills in an effort to avoid suspicion associated with having a large sum of cash primarily in the form of small bills.

On March 6, 2009, Rodriguez was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment for his leadership of this narcotics trafficking ring.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and several local police departments that participate in the Safe Streets Gang Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Patrick F. Caruso of the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

This content has been reproduced from its original source.