United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Antwain Yopp, 31, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 50 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine and marijuana.

Yopp is one of more than 100 individuals charged as a result of "Operation Bloodline," a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.

The investigation revealed that Yopp conspired with others to distribute cocaine base and marijuana.

Yopp's criminal history includes multiple convictions in state court, including convictions for sale of narcotics, possession with intent to sell narcotics, escape in the first degree and engaging police in pursuit.  He was incarcerated in state custody on an unrelated offense when he was charged by federal indictment in May 2012.

On July 10, 2013, Yopp pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine ("crack") and marijuana.  He has been detained in federal custody since August 26, 2013, when he completed his state sentence.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration's New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments.  The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.