Head of Hamden/New Haven Drug Trafficking Ring Sentenced

From the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut:

The man federal officials say was the head of a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Hamden and New Haven was sentenced Tuesday in federal District Court to 25 years in prison.

Judge Ellen Bree Burns handed down the sentence to Joseph Jackson, 37, of New Haven, who federal officials describe as "one of the principal suppliers of crack cocaine in and around New Haven." The sentence also includes a five-year period of supervised release. 

Jackson pleaded guilty in February to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

A joint law enforcement investigation conducted in 2010 by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department led to Jackson's arrest, as well as the arrests and convictions of 47 others. The sting dismantled a large drug trafficking organization headed by Jackson and centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden, according to officials.  

"The investigation revealed that Jackson purchased multiple kilograms of cocaine from various sources of supply, and then converted a large majority of the cocaine into crack cocaine," according to a release from the U.S Attorney's Office. "Jackson then provided distribution quantities of crack to others who sold it on his behalf and gave the proceeds to Jackson. At times, Jackson sold crack and powder cocaine to his own customers."

“This significant sentence is appropriate for a defendant who operated a massive crack cocaine distribution network in New Haven, and whose multiple prior drug trafficking convictions failed to deter him from criminal behavior,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.  “Hopefully, this sentence will serve as a warning to others: Drug trafficking will not be ignored and the federal penalties, especially for repeat offenders, are severe.  I thank the FBI and DEA task forces and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments for their cooperation and terrific investigative efforts.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Daly noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.

Jackson, whose history includes seven state drug trafficking felony convictions, was arrested on Oct. 28, 2010, after federal agents executed search warrants at various locations, including Jackson’s home on Winchester Avenue in New Haven and a West Haven apartment that Jackson used to process, store and package narcotics, according to officials. 

"A search of the Winchester Avenue residence revealed a Taurus .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, crack cocaine and cash.  A search of the West Haven apartment revealed one kilogram of cocaine, 150 grams of crack packaged for distribution, multiple cell phones, drug packaging materials and cash," according to the release.

As part of his sentence, Judge Burns ordered Jackson to forfeit two automobiles, two motorcycles and $72,325.

This matter was investigated by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, Milford and Hamden Police Departments and the Connecticut Department of Correction), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments.