Hartford woman sentenced in Vermont for drug trafficking
Linoshka Barbosa, 25, also known as Lily and Lilz, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine and powder cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. She has been detained since her guilty plea on Oct. 15, 2024.
Waterbury man sentenced to 5 years for role in drug trafficking ring
According to evidence and testimony, Barbosa was a member of the Hartford-based gang, 'GMS' and one of the leaders of a drug distribution operation in the Battleboro area involving cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, and numerous firearms between March 2020-Oct. 2023.
Barbosa often used a driver from a ride-hailing company to transport large quantities of narcotics to Battleboro. She hired several people in Vermont and enlisted several other gang members from Connecticut to assist her in Vermont and the group dealt drugs from various locations.
Barbosa and her associates traded drugs for guns, and some of those guns were used in shootings in Hartford, including a double homicide in August 2023. On March 30, 2023, a man was shot during a drug dispute at 14 Birge Street in Brattleboro.
An investigation later revealed that Elias Lopez, a member of the conspiracy along with Barbosa, was involved in the shooting. Lopez has since pleaded guilty in state court for his role in the shooting, and will be sentenced in federal court on June 2.
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