A Hartford man, Reymond Rojas, 40, has been charged with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies. The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA for New England.
According to court documents and statements presented in court, the DEA began investigating Rojas in June 2025 after receiving information that he was involved in drug trafficking. Rojas is a co-owner of Los Bandoleros market on Albany Avenue in Hartford. Investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine from Rojas between July and October 2025, some of which took place at his business.
Rojas was arrested on November 3, 2025. During a search of his Park Street apartment, authorities found approximately 500 baggies of fentanyl, hundreds of counterfeit pills suspected to contain fentanyl, a distribution quantity of cocaine, and a kilogram drug press. A search at Los Bandoleros market uncovered a safe with hundreds of grams of fentanyl powder, about 1,500 sleeves containing fentanyl, materials used for packaging and processing drugs, and a loaded .45 caliber firearm. In addition, police found more drugs in Rojas’ vehicle.
Court records indicate that Rojas has prior state felony convictions for drug-related crimes and robbery.
On November 12, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Rojas on five counts: one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; two counts related to possession with intent to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl and cocaine; one count for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon; and one count for possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. These charges carry significant mandatory minimum sentences if convicted. Because of his previous conviction for a serious violent felony, he faces enhanced penalties.
Rojas has remained detained since his arrest. On December 5, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and pleaded not guilty.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stated: "An indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
The investigation was carried out by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force with assistance from multiple local police departments across Connecticut as well as the Connecticut State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative led by the Department of Justice aiming to combat illegal immigration as well as dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts from various federal programs including Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
