John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GABRI JAVIER DELAPAZ, 27, last residing in Providence, Rhode Island, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on Sept. 13, 2017, Delapaz and his associate, Alcides Alba-Gomez, traveled from Rhode Island to New York to pick up narcotics from a supplier. As they were returning to Rhode Island, the Connecticut State Police stopped their car on I-95 in Old Lyme. A search of the car revealed a package containing approximately one kilogram of fentanyl that was hidden beneath a rear seat cushion.
Delapaz, who has no prior criminal convictions, has been detained since his arrest on Sept. 13, 2017. On Jan. 16, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Delapaz, a citizen of the Dominican Republic and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.
Alba-Gomez, 29, of Providence, pleaded guilty to the same offense on Jan. 24, 2019. On April 18, he was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East, and New London Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Dave Vatti.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
