News Release [print-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2008

Bridgeport Woman Sentenced for Role in Cocaine Trafficking Ring

JAN 22 -- June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHIRLEY RIVERA, 30, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, was sentenced yesterday, January 22, by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute cocaine. RIVERA pleaded guilty to the charge on October 22, 2007.

This matter stems from an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation dubbed “Operation Ragdoll,” which was spearheaded by the DEA in Hartford. According to statements made in court, RIVERA assisted her boyfriend and co-defendant Domingo Guzman by collecting narcotics proceeds for him and, on one occasion, accepting for him a package that contained approximately two kilograms cocaine that had been shipped through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico.

RIVERA and Guzman were arrested on June 20, 2006 at their residence at 355 Chamberlain Avenue in Bridgeport, at which time approximately $55,980 in drug proceeds were seized from the residence.

Guzman has been detained in federal custody since his arrest. On November 15, 2007, Guzman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

RIVERA has been released on bond since her arrest and is the sole caregiver of their minor children.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor commended the law enforcement agents and officers who conducted the investigation and praised their devoted efforts to identify, disrupt and dismantle this substantial narcotics trafficking operation.

This investigation was a collaborative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Britain Police Department, and the Fall River (MA) Police Department.