A Glastonbury man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for offenses related to trafficking the synthetic drug dimethylpentylone, also known as “bath salts,” according to an announcement from David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Harrison Elba, 35, received a sentence of 108 months imprisonment, seven years of supervised release, and a $5,000 fine from U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport.
Court records show that Elba was previously sentenced to five years probation in October 2019 for involvement in a narcotics distribution conspiracy. In June 2023, Judge Underhill granted Elba’s request for early termination of probation after Elba claimed his rehabilitation was complete.
However, an investigation later that year found that Elba possessed with intent to distribute bath salts at John Fitch Distilling Company, his business in South Windsor. Authorities seized approximately 10 kilograms of the substance on May 2, 2023. Elba was arrested on September 14, 2023 and held until October 9, 2024 before being released on bond.
On January 10, 2025, Elba pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and admitted to additional criminal conduct:
– Between April and June 2023, he operated a drug manufacturing facility in Bloomfield producing psilocybin mushrooms and THC products along with large amounts of marijuana.
– In March 2021, he arranged but did not follow through with purchasing marijuana from two individuals in Vermont; instead he and associates robbed them.
– In November 2022, he received and distributed ten kilograms of cocaine.
– In 2023, he transferred firearms between associates.
– In December 2024, he sent a book laced with synthetic cannabinoids to an inmate at Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island.
Investigators also allege that while out on bond after pleading guilty in January 2025, Elba participated in a scheme involving drones used to smuggle drugs and contraband into FCI Ray Brook federal correctional institution in New York. Communication records show Elba discussing both his plea agreement and the smuggling operation with an inmate there: “I literally just got out of my guilty plea. I pled guilty. My guidelines were 97 to 121. My judge is like the best judge in Connecticut. He sentenced me five years ago…. I thought I might go back to jail today….”
Elba has been held since April 23, 2025 on state charges linked to the Bloomfield drug factory case.
Federal authorities continue investigating the alleged drone smuggling operation.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad along with police departments from South Windsor, Bloomfield and Glastonbury; personnel from Bristol, West Haven, Fairfield, Seymour and Torrington Police Departments were also involved. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Katherine Boyles.