Over a dozen people have been arrested on drug charges after the FBI conducted a federal investigation in New Britain on Thursday.
The State's Attorney's Office said 13 people have been arrested after an investigation into drug trafficking at a car dealership on Main Street.
Court documents show that since February, the FBI's Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the New Britain Police Department have been investigating a drug trafficking operation out of Supreme Automotive.
Investigators used court-authorized wire taps, physical and electronic surveillance, as well as 15 controlled purchases of narcotics, which consisted of primarily cocaine, the State's Attorney's Office said.
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The following people have been arrested:
- Wilfredo Ortiz, aka "Will" and "P," 44, of Bristol
- Michael Luisi, aka "Mike," 51, of Berlin
- Eli Samuel Ofarrill-Fernandez, aka "Eli" and "Maple," 46, of New Britain
- Samuel Martinez, aka "Sammy," 48, of Rocky Hill
- Tashia Bridges, aka "Cheena," 34, of Torrington
- Dimas Rodriguez, aka "Dima" and "D," 55, of Meriden
- Jose M. Ortiz, 52, of New Britain
- Jose L. Ortiz, 47, of New Britain
- Richard Beaudoin, aka "Rich," 52, of Newington
- Richard Zina, aka "Rich," 42, of Ludlow, Mass.
- Curtis Rooth, aka "Scooter," 36, of Portland
- Jose Rivera, 35, of Rocky Hill
- Jemuel Vega-Gomez, 24, of New Britain
Everyone arrested faces charges including possession with intent to distribute/distribution of controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. These charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, according to authorities.
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Authorities said some of the people arrested could face additional charges.
It's unknown if this investigation is connected to a large FBI presence in Portland on Thursday.
