Hartford Man Admits Trafficking Cocaine and Heroin

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HIDELBRANDO QUINONES, also known as “Gordo,” 48, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to a narcotics distribution offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2023, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force made two controlled purchases of cocaine from Quinones.  Quinones was arrested on March 1, 2023.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his Standish Street residence revealed approximately 200 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of crack cocaine, and 100 grams of heroin, and various items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

Quinones pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for February 6, 2024.

Quinones is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan J. Keefe.