A Bristol man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and defrauding a COVID-19 relief program, according to an announcement by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Terry Collins, 31, received a sentence of 72 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release from U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven.
Authorities say that in 2022, an investigation led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and other law enforcement agencies uncovered narcotics trafficking activities involving Gawayne Fisher, also known as “Fruit” and “Tank,” who was already on federal supervised release. The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps, surveillance, and controlled purchases of narcotics. Officials determined that Fisher’s group was distributing large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, counterfeit oxycodone, and alprazolam (Xanax) pills. Collins supplied fentanyl to Fisher’s organization and managed a location on Yale Street in Waterbury used for storing and packaging drugs.
Collins, Fisher, and two associates were arrested on April 13, 2023. During searches that day at multiple locations in Waterbury associated with the group, law enforcement seized drug-processing equipment, about three kilograms of loose fentanyl, approximately 75,000 individual bags containing fentanyl at the Yale Street site; at another apartment on West Main Street officers found around 16 kilograms of cocaine, three kilograms of fentanyl, 125,000 glassine bags containing fentanyl and $7,574 in cash; while at Fisher’s residence and vehicle they recovered about $175,110 in cash.
Investigators also discovered that Collins had defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was established under the CARES Act to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic by helping them retain jobs and cover expenses. In May 2021 Collins submitted documents to the U.S. Small Business Administration claiming that Platinum Liquor—a store he operated—had 14 employees with an average monthly payroll of nearly $60,000. Authorities later found that Platinum Liquor had only one employee and generated far less income than reported. Based on these false claims Collins secured a $149,030 PPP loan; he later submitted further misrepresentations so the loan would be forgiven.
Collins pleaded guilty on October 2, 2024 to one count each of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and money laundering related to the PPP loan fraud scheme. He is currently released on a $100,000 bond and must report to prison by October 28.
Judge Bolden will decide within 90 days what restitution Collins must pay.
Gawayne Fisher was previously sentenced on January 27, 2025 to over eighteen years (217 months) in prison for this drug trafficking offense as well as violating conditions from an earlier federal conviction.
The investigation involved several agencies including the DEA New Haven Task Force and Tactical Diversion Squad; Waterbury Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Marshals Service; Connecticut State Police; IRS Criminal Investigation Division; as well as local police departments from New Haven, Naugatuck, Ansonia, West Haven, Meriden, East Haven, Branford, Shelton and Bristol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth prosecuted the case through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Program.
