A Danbury man, Roman Santiago Jr., aged 41, is facing charges for allegedly trafficking cocaine through the mail from Puerto Rico to Connecticut. This development comes as a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment on these charges.
According to court documents and statements, Santiago is accused of taking part in a narcotics trafficking operation between September 2024 and February 2025. This conspiracy reportedly included shipping cocaine through the U.S. Mail system. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service during their investigation intercepted several packages containing over 11 kilograms of cocaine. These packages, each carrying approximately two kilograms of the substance, were sent from Puerto Rico to different addresses in Connecticut and were intended for Santiago.
The charges against Santiago include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, along with possession with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine and more than 40 grams of fentanyl. Each charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could lead to a life sentence.
Santiago, after being charged via a federal criminal complaint on February 12, 2025, is out on a $50,000 bond. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Marc H. Silverman, highlighted that an indictment is not proof of guilt. He reiterated that charges are merely allegations and that Santiago is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation into this case involves the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, with support from the Plainville and Danbury Police Departments. This task force comprises members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service's Office of the Inspector General, and the Hartford, Plainville, and Meriden Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Guevremont and Christopher Lembo are prosecuting the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, aimed at countering illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators. This initiative unites resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
