Operation Bloodline Defendant Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison
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 Britt Martin, also known as "Big Baby," 30, formerly of Northford, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics.
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.
One target of the investigation was Christopher "White Boy Chris" Morley, who operated a large-scale drug trafficking operation in the greater New Haven area, involving cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone. The investigation revealed that Martin conspired with Morley to obtain large quantities of cocaine and marijuana from sources of supply in New York City. Some of the cocaine was converted to crack, and the drugs were sold to customers and other drug distributors in and around New Haven.
Martin's criminal history includes an arrest on December 21, 2011, when law enforcement officers conducted a motor vehicle stop of a car in which Martin was a passenger and found him in possession of approximately eight ounces of marijuana. A subsequent search of a residence connected to Martin revealed more than two pounds of marijuana, approximately $18,500 in cash and a loaded revolver that had been stolen.
Martin has been detained since his federal arrest on May 22, 2012. On November 12, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Morley has pleaded guilty and 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.
