Federal law enforcement officials believe a major heroin and fentanyl bust in Hartford likely saved hundreds of lives.
Twenty kilos of heroin, mixed with fentanyl was confiscated and on the streets, that amount translates to anywhere from $5 to $8 million value, according to federal sources.
Raids overseen by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were conducted in Hartford, East Hartford, New Britain and Meriden. Locations in Massachusetts and New Jersey were also searched.
Thirteen people, including ten from Connecticut, two from Springfield, Massachusetts, and one in New Jersey, were arrested and face federal drug charges.
NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters poured through the 87-page federal affidavit.
Federal officials said some of the suspects have ties to unidentified distributors in multiple states. Court papers also show they had nicknames for the heroin, including "peso" and other terms, and even changed out cell phone numbers on a monthly basis to arrange drug deals.
The three apartments raided on Collins Street in Hartford, according to those same federal court documents, were used to store, process and package the drugs. This drug trafficking organization, federal agents said was getting the bulk of its heroin, fentanyl and other drugs from New York and New Jersey, arriving in Connecticut where federal agents said they were being mixed with dangerous fentanyl.
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This is a conversation about fentanyl between two suspects that was outlined in the affidavit:
Suspect 1: It numbed one of my sides (face) completely, crazy. I'ma’ have to start using a mask and all. The complete side along with the hand, man.
Suspect 2: that's what I'm telling you, so it hit you hard, then.
Suspect 1: yeah, it hit me hard, it hit me hard. Law enforcement agents used hazmat suits for safety.
The drugs were then sold to dealers in Connecticut and the Springfield and Holyoke areas of Massachusetts, the documents said.
Some of the defendants were living in these raided units. Also, according to the affidavit the "Neighborhood Supermarket" in Hartford on Farmington Avenue, where some of the defendants worked, would sell drugs there. On Friday, the business appeared closed.
"That's very shocking, that's very shocking that would be a connection. I go there every day, it's hard to believe,” customer Calivn Wilson told NBC Connecticut.
Two homes in East Hartford were raided as well, neighbors said they noticed a lot of activity.
