Josue Muniz, 35, of Ansonia, pleaded guilty on April 7 in New Haven federal court to distributing fentanyl and cocaine, according to an announcement by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw.
Authorities said that in 2024 investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Stamford Police Department identified Muniz as a trafficker of fentanyl and cocaine in the Naugatuck Valley. Undercover officers made several purchases from Muniz during November and December 2024. He was arrested on December 20, 2024 at his workplace at a car dealership in Milford after coordinating another narcotics transaction. At the time of his arrest, he had about 58 grams of fentanyl. Further searches uncovered additional amounts of fentanyl and crack cocaine at his vehicle and residence.
Muniz admitted guilt to possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl as well as a quantity of cocaine. This offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment with a maximum possible term of forty years. No sentencing date has been set yet.
Officials noted that Muniz has prior state felony convictions related to narcotics offenses. He has remained detained since his arrest last year.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the Stamford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Lembo is prosecuting this case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, described as an initiative using all available resources from the Department of Justice aimed at countering illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime.