Three Charged with Trafficking Xylazine-Laced Fentanyl, Cocaine

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging LUIS RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Plum” and “Minnie,” 37, of Branford; JERMAINE MONTEETH, also known as “Skee” and “Maine,” 35, of New Haven; and ASHLEY CORDOVA, 27, of Branford; with fentanyl and cocaine trafficking offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an FBI New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force investigation identified a drug trafficking organization led by Rodriguez.  Between February and July 2024, investigators made more than 20 controlled purchases of narcotics, including fentanyl laced with xylazine, and cocaine, from Rodriguez, Monteeth, Cordova, and others.

Rodriguez, Monteeth, and Cordova were arrested on federal criminal complaints on July 12, 2024.  On that date, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of Rodriguez’s and Cordova’s Branford residence, and other locations, and seized more than $97,000 in cash, drug ledgers, scales, and additional items used to process and package narcotics.

On July 16, 2024, the grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging Rodriguez, Monteeth, and Cordova with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine.  Each defendant is also charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Rodriguez, Monteeth, and Cordova appeared today in New Haven federal court and entered pleas of not guilty.  Rodriguez is detained, and Monteeth and Cordova are released on $100,000 bonds.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, and the East Haven Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven, and Wallingford Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.