United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DEC 16 - HARTFORD, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration New England Division and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Daniel Gamero, 24, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to heroin distribution and firearm possession 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.  According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2016, Hartford Police began investigating the distribution of heroin marked with a particular brand stamp that was linked to at least two overdose deaths, one in Vernon on February 01 and one in Granby on March 22.  Between February and April 2016, law enforcement conducted four controlled purchases of heroin marked with the same stamp from Gamero and his associate, Charlie Tacuri.  Gamero and Tacuri were arrested on April 21.  On that date, a search of Gamero’s Preston Street residence revealed approximately 650 bags of heroin, a quantity of marijuana, a loaded firearm and approximately $1,600 in cash.  At the time of Tacuri’s arrest, Tacuri possessed approximately 60 bags of heroin and approximately $1,200 in cash.  Gamero pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.  Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2017.  On December 8, 2016, Tacuri, 19, formerly of Hartford, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2017.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Hartford, Vernon and Granby Police Departments.  The Tactical Diversion Squad includes members from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.