United States Drug Enforcement Administration

STAMFORD, Conn. - David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC RIETTIE, also known as “Gambino” and “Lil E,” 27 of Stamford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his involvement in a southwestern Connecticut narcotics trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2022, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, which was investigating gang activity in the South End and West Side of Bridgeport, identified Christian Pichardo as a supplier of various narcotics to gang members and other drug distributors.  During the investigation, investigators intercepted calls and text messages over court-authorized wiretaps between Pichardo and his associates, made controlled purchases of narcotics, and seized drugs from members of the conspiracy and their drug customers.  Some of the drugs seized during the investigation had been cut with fentanyl analogues, nitazines, and xylazine. Nitazines are synthetic opioids stronger than fentanyl, and xylazine is a large animal tranquilizer.

Pichardo supplied fentanyl and crack cocaine to Riettie, which Riettie sold to his own customers.  Riettie sometimes supplied distribution quantities of narcotic pills to Pichardo.

Riettie was arrested on August 6, 2024.  On November 19, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Riettie, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 4.

Pichardo pleaded guilty to a related charge and, on July 14, 2025, was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bridgeport, Stratford, and Norwalk Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.