Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that two men involved in New Haven-area drug trafficking were sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven. EZEL BUCHANAN, also known as “E.Z.," 34, of Hamden, was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, and JERMAINE GALBERTH, also known as “Maine," 27, of New Haven, was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
BUCHANAN and GALBERTH and more than 100 other individuals were charged as a result of “Operation Bloodline," a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven. Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants and seizures of narcotics and firearms. The investigation revealed that BUCHANAN conspired with others to purchase and redistribute crack cocaine, and that GALBERTH conspired to distribute heroin.
On Sept. 27, 2012, BUCHANAN pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine"). BUCHANAN’s criminal history includes six felony convictions, including four felony drug convictions.
On April 15, 2013, GALBERTH pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
