Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS MARTELL, also known as “Fat Boy," 34, of Meriden, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with trafficking cocaine and heroin.
MARTELL appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.
As alleged in court documents, in late October 2016, law enforcement intercepted two parcels containing suspected narcotics that had been mailed from southern California to two different addresses in Meriden. On Nov. 2, 2016, a court-authorized search of the parcels revealed a total of approximately 6.5 kilograms of cocaine and approximately 1.06 kilograms of heroin.
On Nov. 2, 2016, Jose Davila, also known as “Flaco," visited a post office in Meriden to inquire about one of the parcels. On Nov. 3, 2016, law enforcement made a controlled delivery of the second parcel to its intended address. The residents of the house accepted the parcel on behalf of Justin Doherty and contacted Doherty on his cellphone. Doherty then arrived at the house in a car driven by Davila. Doherty and Davila were arrested at that time.
It is alleged that MARTELL coordinated the shipment of the parcels containing cocaine and heroin, and paid Doherty and Davila to accept the parcels on his behalf.
The complaint charges MARTELL with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and one or more kilogram of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
On Jan. 20, 2017, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned a three-count indictment charging Davila, 32, and Doherty, 24, both of Meriden, with related offenses. They are awaiting trial.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Meriden Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
