Two Bridgeport Men Convicted of Federal Cocaine and Crack Conspiracy Charges

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two individuals have been convicted of cocaine and crack cocaine charges stemming from “Operation G-Force,” a joint law enforcement investigation into Bridgeport-area narcotics trafficking headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Earlier today, a federal jury in Bridgeport found JOEL SOTO, also known as “Joe Crack,” 27, formerly of Cleveland Avenue, Bridgeport, guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). The trial of SOTO and co-defendant, GEORGE SANCHEZ, also known as “Georgie” and “Little G,” 31, formerly of Howard Avenue, Bridgeport, began on Tuesday, September 22. On Friday, September 25, SANCHEZ pleaded guilty to the same charges.

The year-long investigation that led to the Indictment of SANCHEZ, SOTO and 26 other individuals included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of cocaine, crack and heroin, and physical surveillance. According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, from approximately January 2002 to February 2009, SANCHEZ headed a large-scale cocaine and crack cocaine distribution ring operating in Bridgeport. Using the U.S. Mail, DHL and other shipping services, SANCHEZ had, on average, two kilograms of cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to various residences in Bridgeport each week. The cocaine was wrapped and secreted inside electronic devices such as VCRs, clothing, and other items. Once the packages were received in Bridgeport, SANCHEZ and his associates would process some of the cocaine into crack cocaine, and package the cocaine and crack for distribution to other narcotics traffickers in the Bridgeport area.

The evidence at trial included two kilograms of cocaine that were seized in Puerto Rico and had been destined for an address in Bridgeport used by SANCHEZ for the delivery of cocaine.

SOTO, a close and trusted associate of SANCHEZ, assisted SANCHEZ with the distribution of narcotics and the manufacture of crack cocaine. SOTO also furnished SANCHEZ with alternative sources of cocaine.

Prior to the trial of SANCHEZ and SOTO, 15 individuals pleaded guilty to charges stemming from their participation in this narcotics distribution conspiracy.

SANCHEZ and SOTO are scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall on December 14 and December 18, respectively. Each faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life and a fine of up to $8 million.

SANCHEZ and SOTO have been detained since their arrests on February 4, 2009.

This matter was investigated by members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of federal agents and state and local officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force, and the Bridgeport, Stamford, Stratford, Fairfield, Trumbull and Norwalk Police Departments. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hal Chen and Peter Markle.