Norwich Cocaine Distributor Pleads Guilty

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH BARROS, 37, of Norwich, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2017, law enforcement received information that BARROS was distributing cocaine and other drugs in southeastern Connecticut.  Investigators made three controlled purchases of cocaine from BARROS, and a wiretap investigation revealed that BARROS was supplying cocaine to local distributors.  BARROS was arrested on December 21, 2017.

BARROS is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on October 31, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  BARROS is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the New London FBI Task Force with the assistance of the Norwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson.