Norwalk Resident Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

A Norwalk resident was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison Wednesday for trafficking narcotics.

Jose Mendez-Luna, 31, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and a three-year term of supervised release, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

On March 27, 2012, New York Police Department officers who were working on a narcotics trafficking investigation contacted the Bridgeport Drug Enforcement Administration about a multiple-kilogram shipment of cocaine delivered to individuals operating from 18-20 Taylor Ave. and 20 Woodbury Ave. in Norwalk.

The following morning, DEA Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Norwalk Police Department Special Services Division members conducted a search of 20 Woodbury Ave. that had been approved by the court, according to the release.

In Medez-Luna's bedroom, officers found a 9-millimeter firearm, a magazine with four rounds of ammunition, about 262 grams of cocaine, two digital scales, narcotics packaging materials and nine cell phones.

A later court-authorized search of the address on Taylor Avenue turned up about five kilograms of heroin, 10 pounds of methamphetamine, $279,000 in cash, a handgun and ammunition and narcotics packaging materials, according to the release.

Hector Valle, another man living in the building, was found to have cocaine and heroin in his bedroom, as well as drug ledgers and about $8,000 in cash. There was also an ounce of heroin in the kitchen of the house that was seized. 

Valle has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Mendez-Luna was detained after his arrest and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine on April 17, according to the release.