A man formerly of Hamden was sentenced to almost two years in federal prison on Thursday for trafficking prescription drugs while on supervised release following a previous federal conviction.
Denzel Suggs, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 20 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a New Haven area drug trafficking ring, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Suggs previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances on April 18.
Nagala sentenced Suggs to 10 months in prison for the drug offense and a consecutive 10 months for violating the conditions of his supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
In January 2022, Suggs was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to six months in prison, time served, and three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to court records.
In June 2022, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force was investigating an alleged drug trafficking organization operating in the Fair Haven neighborhood of New Haven, court records show. Using court-authorized wiretaps, surveillance and several controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, investigators identified multiple individuals, including Kelvin Alvarado, who were allegedly “acquiring and distributing prescription narcotic pills,” according to court records.
During the investigation, Suggs, who was on federal supervised release, reportedly sold prescription pills to Alvarado, officials said.
Suggs was arrested on Oct. 10, 2023, and has been detained since Oct. 31, 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Alvarado, also known as “Kelz” and “Kel Bucks,” of New Haven, has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
According to officials, the investigation, which resulted in federal charges against 12 individuals, was 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.
