News Release [print-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2008

Woman Involved in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy is Sentenced

FEB 26 -- 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 VANESSA AMARAL, 24, of Danbury, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to five years of supervised release years. AMARAL was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and to pay a fine in the amount of $500. On May 9, 2007, AMARAL pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, in August 2005, AMARAL traveled with Marlon Spaulding to Oakland, California, where Spaulding packaged approximately 500 grams of cocaine inside two plastic duck lawn ornaments, and then attempted to ship the package via overnight mail to a location in Connecticut.

On July 19, 2007, Spaulding was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.