United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HARTFORD, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deidre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Gauntlett Smith, also known as “Clansman,” 40, a citizen of Jamaica last residing in Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to marijuana distribution and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 19, 2015, Smith was arrested on state drug charges after officers from the Hartford Police Department and special agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations recovered approximately 15 pounds of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol from an apartment maintained by Smith at 89-91 Irving Street in Hartford.  The firearm had been reported stolen in North Carolina.

Smith pleaded guilty to one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.  A sentencing date has not been scheduled.  Smith has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation has been conducted by the Hartford Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations