Rhode Island Man Involved in Narcotics Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN L. WATSON, 38, of West Warwick, Rhode Island, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release. On June 23, 2009, WATSON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine.

This matter stems from “Operation Quiet Corner,” a 12-month, FBI and Connecticut State Police investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating primarily in northeastern Connecticut. The investigation included the use of confidential informants, controlled purchases of drugs, and court-authorized telephone wiretaps. On April 9, 2008, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment charging WATSON and 21 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in February and March 2008, WATSON was intercepted several times over the wiretap of a co-defendant’s phone. A call intercepted on March 4, 2008 revealed that WATSON had purchased 250 grams of cocaine from his co-defendant. WATSON put approximately 50 grams of the cocaine aside and was attempting to “cook” the remaining 200 grams of cocaine and 200 grams of another substance into crack cocaine. However, WATSON complained to his co-defendant that the crack was not cooking properly, saying “It won’t cook. It’s coming out like...cake mix.” WATSON’s co-defendant stated that he could fix the problem and the two agreed to meet at a later time.

Later that same month, the intercepted calls revealed WATSON’s intention to purchase another 100 grams of cocaine from the same co-defendant.

WATSON has been detained since his arrest on April 11, 2008.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Statewide Cooperative Crime Control Task Force and the Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force of the Connecticut State Police, with assistance from the Hartford Police Department and Connecticut State Police, Troop D. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.