News Release [print-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2007

Massachusetts Man Involved In Cocaine Trafficking Ring Sentenced To Five Years In Prison

DEC 18 -- 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 BANGER VERGARA, also known as “Valdil” and “Bangel,” 35, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release. On August 30, 2007, VERGARA pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

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, in the spring of 2006, VERGARA was intercepted during a court-authorized wiretap ordering a quantity of cocaine from Domingo Guzman of Bridgeport. Following Guzman’s arrest in June 2006, VERGARA was intercepted on wiretaps ordering quantities of cocaine from Guzman’s cocaine supplier in Puerto Rico.

Guzman has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. He awaits sentencing.

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