Meriden Man Charged In Drug Bust At Car Dealership: Feds

U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery announced in a news release that the following people were arrested Thursday on federal criminal complaints charging each with drug distribution offenses:

Wilfredo Ortiz, aka “Will” and “P,” 44, of Bristol

Michael Luisi, aka, “Mike,” 51, of Berlin

Eli Samuel Ofarrill-Fernandez, aka “Eli” and “Maple,” 46, of New Britain

Samuel Martinez, aka “Sammy,” 48, of Rocky Hill

Tashia Bridges, aka “Cheena,” 34, of Torrington

Dimas Rodriguez, aka “Dima” and “D,” 55, of Meriden

Jose M. Ortiz, 52, of New Britain

Jose L. Ortiz, 47, of New Britain

Richard Beaudoin, aka “Rich,” 52, of Newington

Richard Zina, aka “Rich,” 42, of Ludlow, Mass.

Curtis Rooth, aka “Scooter,” 36, of Portland

Jose Rivera, 35, of Rocky Hill

Jemuel Vega-Gomez, 24, of New Britain

Authorities said the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and New Britain Police Department launched an investigation in February into a “drug trafficking organization, headed by Wilfredo Ortiz and Michael Luisi, that was operating out of Supreme Automotive, a car dealership located at 494 Main Street in New Britain.”

“The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical and electronic surveillance, and approximately 15 controlled purchases of narcotics, primarily cocaine,” officials wrote in a news release. “In association with yesterday’s arrests, investigators conducted court authorized searches of Supreme Automotive and residences and other locations connected to the drug trafficking organization and seized more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 200 grams of fentanyl, approximately 30 grams of heroin, a kilogram press, seven firearms, ammunition, approximately $75,000 in cash, and 26 vehicles.”

Each defendant was charged with possession with intent to distribute/distribution of controlled substances, and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, according to officials.

Officials said certain defendants may face additional charges and penalties.

Wilfredo Ortiz, Luisi, Ofarrill-Fernandez, Martinez, Bridges, Rodriguez, Rooth, and Vega-Gomez are currently detained, and Jose M. Ortiz, Jose L. Ortiz, Beaudoin, Zina, and Rivera were released on bond.

Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Police, and the New Britain, Hartford, West Hartford, Waterbury, Naugatuck, East Hartford, Brookfield, Milford, Norwich, Orange, North Haven, Meriden, Berlin, and Manchester Police Departments.