New Haven Crack Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMEEL WILKES, also known as “Biggs,” 36, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 127 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

WILKES is one of more than 100 individuals charged as a result of “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, WILKES operated a large-scale crack cocaine and marijuana trafficking operation in the greater New Haven area.

WILKES has been detained since his arrest on May 15, 2012.  On November 24, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments.  The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.