Two Men Admit Trafficking Marijuana

Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that OVES ST. ORBIN WRIGHT, 56, of Massapequa, N.Y., and KEVIN J. DUNBAR, 45, of Manchester, have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to marijuana distribution charges.  WRIGHT pleaded guilty yesterday and DUNBAR pleaded guilty today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 19, 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) agents in western Texas conducted a search of a tractor trailer and discovered approximately 315 pounds of marijuana secreted in a shipping crate.  CBP agents contacted DEA agents in El Paso who determined that the crate was destined for a shipping facility in Enfield.  On May 29, 2013, Connecticut DEA agents established surveillance at the Enfield shipping facility and observed WRIGHT and DUNBAR unpack the crate, load the contents into a van and travel to a storage facility in East Hartford where they were arrested.

WRIGHT and DUNBAR each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.  They are scheduled to be sentenced in January by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Ahearn.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov