NORWALK, CT – Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, along with officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Norwalk Police Department, announced the arrest of six individuals involved in a major narcotics trafficking ring operating in and around Norwalk. Those charged include Jose Orjuela, Kimberly Delacruz, Jelson Perez, Christopher Pomponi, Darrell Sanders, and Alejandro Martin De Los Santos.
The arrests stem from a comprehensive investigation led by the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Norwalk Police Department. The investigation, which involved court-authorized wiretaps and controlled narcotics purchases, identified Orjuela as the leader of this drug trafficking organization. The group is accused of distributing significant quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, sourced from Texas, Ohio, and New York City, within the Norwalk area.
Court documents reveal that Orjuela and his girlfriend Delacruz used their residence on Marlin Drive in Norwalk to store drugs and cash. Additionally, Pomponi’s residence in Darien served as a hub for storing narcotics, converting cocaine into crack cocaine, and packaging drugs for street sale. De Los Santos is alleged to have supplied narcotics to the Orjuela organization at various times.
On April 29, 2024, federal agents executed multiple search warrants, leading to the seizure of about 15,000 dose bags of suspected fentanyl, 350 grams of raw heroin, and additional quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine. A 9mm handgun, ammunition, and a 2021 Ford F-150 were also confiscated during the raids.
All individuals except Delacruz, who was released on bond, are currently detained. The charges against them include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and using a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking felony. Pomponi faces additional charges for using or maintaining a drug-involved premises.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to combat the flow of illegal drugs in Connecticut and underscores the serious nature of drug trafficking activities in the region.
