United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HARTFORD, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a seven-count indictment charging JAHQUAN BLACKWIN, also known as “Mula,” 25, of Hartford, with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

Blackwin appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  Blackwin has been detained since his arrest on August 17.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in June 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force began investigating Blackwin and others for distributing fentanyl and cocaine in the Hartford area.  In July and August 2022, investigators made four controlled purchases of fentanyl from Blackwin.

Blackwin was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 17.  On that date, a search of Blackwin’s Judson Street apartment revealed approximately 300 grams of fentanyl, 600 grams of heroin, 100 grams of crack, 500 grams of cocaine, as well as other drugs.  Investigators also found and seized two loaded Polymer 80 handguns (“ghost gun”), one of which was fitted with a high-capacity magazine, and a loaded Glock 43X handgun.

On August 31, 2022, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Blackwin with four counts of possession with intent to distribution, and distribution of, fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”) and 100 grams or more of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.