Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, has announced a guilty plea from Christian Pichardo, also known by the aliases "Swerve," "Craig," and "Bobby Shmurda." The 30-year-old Hamden resident acknowledged his involvement in a narcotics trafficking case at the federal court in Bridgeport.
The FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department identified Pichardo as a major distributor of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack, and narcotic pills in southwestern Connecticut. The investigation involved intercepting communications via court-authorized wiretaps and executing controlled purchases from Pichardo and his associates.
On July 17, 2024, a grand jury in Bridgeport issued a superseding indictment against Pichardo and seven alleged co-conspirators for offenses related to controlled substances.
Pichardo admitted guilt to the charge of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, along with quantities of cocaine, heroin, and other opioids. This offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a potential maximum of 40 years. Sentencing is scheduled for June 26.
Since his arrest on August 5, 2024, Pichardo has remained detained.
The case is managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Kenneth L. Gresham under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. The OCDETF initiative aims to dismantle drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and criminal organizations using a coordinated approach that involves multiple levels of law enforcement. More details are available at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
