A New Britain resident, Henry Meneses Jr., 32, has entered a guilty plea to charges related to fentanyl trafficking. The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Meneses admitted guilt before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven.
The investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration's Hartford Task Force uncovered that Meneses was involved in distributing significant amounts of fentanyl in the Hartford area. On January 6, 2025, he distributed 6,000 dose bags of fentanyl to an individual who traveled from Vermont to acquire the drugs. Further evidence from February 25, 2025, shows investigators executed a controlled purchase of 3,000 dose bags from Meneses on Franklin Avenue in Hartford.
Meneses was apprehended on March 25, 2025. Searches conducted at his residence and vehicle led to the discovery of two handguns, five gun magazines, ammunition, and over $6,000 in cash.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl. This offense carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years and could lead up to a maximum term of forty years. Sentencing is scheduled for September 16.
Currently released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, Meneses' case involves multiple law enforcement agencies as part of the DEA’s Hartford Task Force. These include personnel from various police departments across Connecticut and assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham is prosecuting this case under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.
