Dominican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PABEL MIGUEL ACOSTA-COLON, 36, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Jersey City, New Jersey, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 22 months of imprisonment for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force investigation revealed that Acosta-Colon was trafficking fentanyl powder and pills.  On June 21, 2023, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 100 grams of fentanyl powder and 100 fentanyl pills from Acosta-Colon in Stamford.  Acosta-Colon was arrested on June 28, 2023, after investigators coordinated the purchase of more than 700 grams of fentanyl powder and pills from him.

On January 5, 2024, Acosta-Colon pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.

Acosta-Colon, who is detained, faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force with the assistance of the Stamford Police Department and Trumbull Police Department.  The DEA’s Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick.