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Five New Haven men and one North Branford man, who were reportedly part of a drug-smuggling ring, were arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 16 months after their group's New Haven kingpin was detained in December of last year.
A federal jury in New Haven charged the following men with felonies for conspiring to distribute heroin and crack cocaine:
- Michael Smith, also known as “Head,” 34, of New Haven, who has been detained in police custody since he was arrested on state charges on Dec. 23 of 2019
- Keilah Boria, 39, of New Haven
- Ernest Holcomb, also known as “Ern,” 32, of North Branford
- Jonathan Duarte, 35, of New Haven
- Chawn Battle, 47, of New Haven
- Alex Reyes, 33, of New Haven
- Alexis Viera, 32, of New Haven
Smith has been detained since he was convicted of illegally possessing a firearm and using it in a drug-related shooting in December. While Smith, Duarte, Battle, and Viera are detained, Boria, Holcomb, and Reyes have been released pending trial.
A long-term DEA investigation revealed that the seven men were distributing crack cocaine and heroin throughout New Haven. Viera was identified as the group's crack supplier, and Battle was determined to be a smaller dealer who bought heroin from the group to sell to his own customer base.
Boria reportedly maintained bank accounts that leader Smith used to launder the cash proceeds of their drug deals, and used a portion of the extra monies to pay for a small fleet of rental cars that he used to transport narcotics and carry out drug deals.
Smith and Boria could face up to 40 years behind bars for conspiring to distribute heroin and crack-cocaine, and up to 20 additional years for conspiring to launder monetary instruments. Smith may also rack up charges for possession with intent to distribute, which carries a sentencing maximum of 20 years, and for use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years.
Duarte could face up to 40 years, also for conspiring to distribute heroin and crack-cocaine; Holcomb, Battle, Reyes, and Viera are faced with a maximum imprisonment of 20 years.
Further investigation is being conducted by the DEA New Haven Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, West Haven, Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments.
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