Court documents: At least 5 kilos of cocaine distributed through local ring
New Haven — Documents that explain why a local businesswoman and 11 others are accused of trafficking narcotics could remain sealed until next week, even though the final defendant was arrested Tuesday.
In a motion filed Monday in U.S. District Court, the government said one of the defendants was at large and asked the court to seal the affidavit until the first probable cause hearings in the case, which are slated for March 6. The government had said information in the affidavit could lead the at-large defendant to destroy evidence or injure authorities seeking the defendant, who was not identified in the motion.
Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Connecticut, said the final defendant, Ramel "Ra" General, surrendered to law enforcement Tuesday morning and was charged with conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and use of a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking felony.
The 37-year-old, for whom an address was not immediately available, is in custody with a bond hearing scheduled for Friday, Carson said.
Carson said although Judge Sarah Merriam ordered the affidavit unsealed, the order likely won't go into effect until next week.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Thursday arrested Amy Sarcia, owner of 2Wives Brick Oven Pizza in New London and No Anchor Fine Food & Provisions in Noank, and charged her with distribution of narcotics, use of a telephone to facilitate trafficking, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The 49-year-old Pawcatuck resident, who also manages apartments in New London, was arraigned Thursday alongside Jackie Hernandez, 41, of 887 Bank St., New London. Hernandez’s charges include narcotics trafficking, conspiracy to traffic narcotics and use of a telephone to facilitate a narcotics felony.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector released Sarcia on the conditions that she appear in court for a probable cause hearing March 14, restrict her travel to within Connecticut, avoid contact with anyone who may be a victim, submit to random drug testing and not possess any firearms.
Hernandez was released and placed on house arrest. She also is due back in court March 14.
Others charged in the case include:
[naviga:ul]
[naviga:li]Anthony Whyte, charged with narcotics trafficking (including 5 kilograms or more of cocaine), conspiracy to traffic narcotics, use of a telephone to facilitate a narcotics felony, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]Royshawn Allgood and Victor Encarnacion, each charged with narcotics trafficking (including 100 grams or more of heroin), conspiracy to traffic narcotics and use of a telephone to facilitate a narcotics felony.[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]Jeremy Sandborn, Benjamin Gregor, Oralyn Marquez, Antoine Forbes, Holly Butler and Kemar Cameron, each charged with narcotics trafficking, conspiracy to traffic narcotics and use of a telephone to facilitate a narcotics felony.[/naviga:li]
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Their ages and addresses weren’t immediately available. All but Butler remain in custody.
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