New Haven Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Heroin Distribution, Gun Possession Offenses

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SAMUEL ALBARRAN, also known as “Sam Dog,” 34, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 85 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for heroin distribution and firearm possession offenses.

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force, FBI and New Haven Police Department into the distribution of heroin in New Haven. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of heroin, revealed that ALBARRAN’s brother, Wilson “Pancho” Vasquez, obtained bulk quantities of heroin, processed and packaged the drug with several co-conspirators, and then distributed the drug through a network of street-level distributors operating in the area of Ferry Street, Grand Avenue and Blatchley Avenue in New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood.

A series of intercepted calls during the investigation revealed that ALBARRAN agreed to supply Vasquez with 300 grams of heroin.

Law enforcement officers first attempted to arrest ALBARRAN on July 15, 2015. On that date, a search of a New Haven residence connected to ALBARRAN revealed distribution quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana; a kilogram press and heroin packaging materials; 9mm and .380 caliber firearms; 9mm ammunition, and more than $21,000 in cash.

ALBARRAN remained a fugitive until February 11, 2016, when he was apprehended in East Haven. He has been detained since his arrest.

On September 15, 2016, ALBARRAN pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Seventeen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation. All 17 have pleaded guilty.

Vasquez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 21, 2017.

The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Gordon Hall and Patrick Caruso.