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Stratford resident Nadyar Malaka, age 35, was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 48 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin in July 2021.
In addition to his prison term, US District Judge Michael Shea also ordered Malaka to pay a $50,000 fine and to forfeit $52,111.45 and a 2012 Porsche Panamera 4.
US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that an investigation was launched in 2021 into Eddy Antonio Torres Morel, who was trafficking narcotics from Big Daddy’s Deli and Jamal’s Market, two stores he operated on East Main Street in Bridgeport.
During the investigation, Boyle said that police made two controlled purchases of a half-kilogram of heroin from Torres, first at Jamal’s Market on Oct. 29, 2019, and then at Big Daddy’s Deli on Jan. 24, 2020.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Malaka assisted Torres’ drug trafficking operation by storing and packaging narcotics at his residence, storing drug proceeds at his home, and transporting narcotics and drug proceeds to Torres and others.
The investigation also revealed that Malaka engaged in the interstate trafficking of untaxed cigarettes, Boyle noted.
Malaka was arrested on Feb. 27, 2020, and pleaded guilty on July 21, 2021.
Boyle noted that Torres, a Meriden resident in New Haven County, pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on Sept. 24, 2021, was sentenced to 78 months in prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine.
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