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, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal jury in New Haven today found New Haven residents Richard Anderson, also known as "Mayut" and "Porter," 27, Philip Bryant, also known as "Phat Phil" and "Fizzy," 27, and Robert Santos, also known as "Scoot," 31, guilty of narcotics distribution offenses.  The trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns began on January 21.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from "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.  More than 100 individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.

According to the evidence at trial, Anderson, Bryant and Santos conspired with Kevin Wilson, also known as "Nature," to distribute narcotics, primarily in the Dwight/Chapel area of New Haven.

Anderson supplied crack cocaine on multiple occasions to co-defendant Jesus Morales, also known as "Cano," in deals that were brokered by Wilson.  On several occasions, Anderson was intercepted on a wiretap threatening violence against Morales in an effort to collect a drug debt.  At times, Anderson also obtained quantities of heroin from Wilson.

Bryant was intercepted on multiple occasions arranging heroin and cocaine transactions with Wilson.  In May 2011, Bryant also provided Wilson with 26.3 grams of crack cocaine that Wilson, in turn, sold to two individuals who were working with law enforcement.  In addition, trial testimony established that Bryant, Wilson and other co-defendants shared a stash of firearms to use in furtherance of their drug trafficking activity.

Santos partnered with Wilson, pooling money to acquire large quantities of heroin from a New York-based supplier, and then distributing the drug in greater New Haven.

Anderson was convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine ("crack"), which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  Bryant was convicted of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine, cocaine base and heroin, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Santos was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.  Based on his criminal history, Santos faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Judge Burns scheduled sentencing for all three defendants for June 3, 2014.

Wilson and Morales previously pleaded guilty.  On September 26, 2013, Morales was sentenced to 63 months of imprisonment.  Wilson awaits sentencing.

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.