Fifteen individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in New Haven on charges of conspiring to traffic fentanyl and cocaine into and around southern Connecticut. The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The accused are Damien Hazel, Yanishka Arroyo-Rivera (also known as “Nani”), Nicholas Vega (“Nick”), Omar Viera (“O”), Jonathan Mejia (“Big Head”), Nestor Rosado (“Joey”), Victor Francisco Bonilla (“Mostro”), Kelvin Olivo, Brenjinellie Gonzalez (“Brenji”), Roberto DeJesus (“Pedro Ramirez” and “Tito”), Daniel Ruiz (“Jumbo”), Jaffar Ali, Davon Warner (“DaeDae”), Madison Cruz (“Maddie”), and Jaszae Vazquez.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation led by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force found that Hazel led a narcotics trafficking organization distributing fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in southern Connecticut. The group allegedly traveled to the Bronx, New York to obtain kilogram quantities of fentanyl and deliver proceeds from drug sales. They also traveled to Puerto Rico to acquire cocaine which was then shipped through the U.S. Mail to addresses in Connecticut. During the investigation, authorities seized several packages containing at least 16 kilograms of cocaine and identified additional packages likely containing narcotics.
Hazel and 13 co-defendants were arrested on September 10, 2025; DeJesus was arrested two days later. Investigators seized two firearms and ammunition from a residence shared by Hazel and Arroyo-Rivera; ammunition and suspected narcotics from DeJesus; as well as suspected narcotics from Vega, Ali, and Warner.
“As alleged, this organization trafficked a significant amount of fentanyl and cocaine into our state, and I thank the members of FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, with the assistance of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, who shut down this drug importation and distribution network,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan. “The scourge of illegal narcotics continues to ruin lives in Connecticut, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to targeting and prosecuting those who are profiting from it.”
“This indictment demonstrates FBI New Haven’s top priority of crushing violent crime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien. “Along with our federal and local partners, we are committed to removing dangerous drugs, like fentanyl and cocaine, from the streets of Connecticut. The FBI will continue to bring the full breadth of our resources to the table to support our partners and keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Each defendant faces charges related to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Depending on their role or attributed drug quantity: Hazel, Arroyo-Rivera, Vega, Viera, Mejia, Rosado, Bonilla, Olivo, Gonzalez face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years up to life imprisonment if convicted; DeJesus, Ruiz, Ali, Warner, Cruz,and Vazquez face mandatory minimums of five years up to 40 years.
Hazel along with DeJesus,Vega ,Mejia ,Bonilla ,Ruiz ,and Ali remain detained while eight others have been released pending trial.
U.S.Attorney Sullivan emphasized that indictments are not evidence of guilt.“Charges are only allegations,and each defendant is presumed innocent unlessand until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The case is being investigated by multiple agencies including the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force,U.S.Postal Inspection Service,the Drug Enforcement Administration,the Connecticut State Police,and several local police departments across Connecticut as well as Louisville,Kentucky.The prosecution is handled by Assistant U.S.Attorneys Lauren C.Clarkand Kenneth L.Gresham.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America,a national initiative using Departmentof Justice resources against illegal immigration,cross-border criminal organizations,and violent crime.Operation Take Back America coordinates efforts between Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)and Project Safe Neighborhood(PSN).
