Hamden Man Sentenced For Trafficking Prescription Drugs: Feds

HAMDEN, CT — A former Hamden man has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for his role in a New Haven area drug trafficking ring, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a previous federal conviction, according to officials.

Denzel Suggs, 30, was also sentenced Thursday in Hartford federal court to three years of supervised release following the prison term, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery announced.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2022, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was operating in the Fair Haven neighborhood of New Haven.

“The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, and several controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine,” officials wrote in a news release. “The investigation also identified individuals, including Kelvin Alvarado, who were acquiring and distributing prescription narcotic pills. During the investigation, Suggs, who was on federal supervised release, sold prescription pills to Alvarado.”

Suggs was arrested on October 10, 2023. He pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. He has been detained since Oct. 31, 2023.

In January 2022, Suggs was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to approximately six months of imprisonment, time served, and three years of supervised release, for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Suggs was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment for the drug offense, and a consecutive 10 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release, according to officials.

Alvarado, also known as “Kelz” and “Kel Bucks,” of New Haven, has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

The investigation, which resulted in federal charges against 12 individuals, has been conducted by FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, which includes members from the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford Police Departments.