Hamden Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking: Feds

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for trafficking narcotics in southwestern Connecticut, according to officials.

Christian Pichardo, also known as “Swerve,” Craig,” and “Bobby Shmurda,” 30, was also sentenced Monday to four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut David X. Sullivan.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department identified Pichardo as a “significant distributor of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack, and narcotic pills in southwestern Connecticut,” according to a news release.

“During the investigation, investigators intercepted calls and text messages between Pichardo, his associates, and their drug customers over court-authorized wiretaps, made controlled purchases of narcotics, and seized drugs from Pichardo, his associates, and drug customers,” officials wrote in the news release. “Some of the drugs seized during the investigation had been cut with fentanyl analogues and xylazine, a large animal tranquilizer. The investigation also revealed that Pichardo maintained a residence on Norman Street in Bridgeport to store narcotics.”

A grand jury in Bridgeport returned a superseding indictment in July 2024 charging Pichardo and seven others with controlled substances offenses.

Pichardo has been detained since his arrest on Aug. 5, 2024.

He pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and quantities of cocaine, heroin, and other opioids, according to officials.

See also:

• Hamden Man Arrested On Drug Charges After 3-Car Crash: State Police
• Hamden Carjacking Leads To Arrest Of 3 Teens: New Haven Police
• Incarcerated Hamden Man, 18, Tried To Put A ‘Hit’ On Witness: Police