United States Drug Enforcement Administration

APR 26 - NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent-in-Charge of the DEA for New England and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Careem Bentley, also known as “C-Lows,” 33, of Bridgeport, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with heroin distribution offenses.  The charges stem from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

Bentley appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, on November 23, 2016, Monroe Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Monroe on a report of a suspected drug overdose. At the scene, responders encountered an unresponsive 37-year-old male lying on the floor, and the individual was pronounced deceased. Investigators seized the victim’s cellphone, multiple folds of suspected heroin, and other items, and subsequently concluded that the victim purchased heroin from Bentley in the late evening of November 22, 2016.

The complaint charges Bentley with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Both offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. 

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and Monroe Police Department.  The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.