Two local men charged with federal narcotics offenses

Eighteen people, including a man from Uncasville and a man from Westerly, were charged Wednesday with federal narcotics offenses stemming from the alleged large-scale distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in and around New Haven.

Wayne Wright, 27, of Uncasville, and Edward Prezioso, 24, of Westerly were charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams of crack cocaine.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; the charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

This case is being investigated by the FBI's New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which includes officers from the New Haven, Hamden and Milford police departments, and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction. The Connecticut State Police, the United States Marshals Service and the Westerly Police Department also assisted in the investigation.

Assistant United States attorneys Anthony Kaplan, Gordon Hall and Patrick Caruso will prosecute the case.