CT man found guilty in connection with narcotics operation involving ‘large amount of fentanyl'
The guilty verdict against Mario Pascual-Aquino, 44, was handed down on Monday in federal court in Hartford following a trial that began last Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut. He was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, officials said.
Evidence presented at trial showed that the DEA Hartford Task Force investigated a Hartford-based drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of a 'large amount' of fentanyl and other narcotics, according to authorities. The group was also reportedly involved in transporting and laundering cash made from the drug sales, officials said.
During the investigation, authorities made a coordinated traffic stop in January 2022 involving a minivan and seized $92,000 from a hidden compartment, officials said. The investigation reportedly revealed that Harold Luis Del Orbe, also known as 'Jaro,' was directing others in the minivan to conduct narcotics-related transactions on his behalf, according to authorities.
On Nov. 16, 2022, investigators carried out a search warrant at an apartment on Putnam Heights in Hartford and seized about 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and unspecified items commonly associated with processing and packaging narcotics, according to federal officials. Pascual-Aquino, Del Orbe and others were in the apartment at the time, officials said.
Pascual-Aquino is set to face sentencing on Aug. 13, when he faces a minimum mandatory 10-year prison term and a maximum of life in prison, according to federal authorities. He was remanded into custody when the guilty verdict was returned.
Del Orbe pleaded guilty to related charges and was sentenced on May 6 to 10 years in prison, according to officials.
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