United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WALLINGFORD, Conn. - David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that JOSEPH MONTANEZ, also known as “Jose” and “Max,” 44, of Wallingford, has been charged by indictment with a fentanyl trafficking offense.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on January 13, 2026, law enforcement stopped a car on I-80 in Nebraska that contained approximately 16 kilograms of fentanyl.  The investigation revealed that Montanez had rented the car in Connecticut and arranged to pay a courier $20,000 to drive to California, pick up the fentanyl, and drive it back to Connecticut.  Thereafter, investigators arranged a controlled delivery of the drug shipment to Montanez using approximately 40 grams of fentanyl and 16 kilograms of fake fentanyl.

It is further alleged that, on January 15, 2026, investigators observed Montanez as he traveled to meet a vehicle carrying the fentanyl, exit his vehicle, enter the vehicle carrying the fentanyl, and direct the driver to go to a service plaza on Route 15.  Montanez’ first vehicle then traveled a short distance away to the area of Exit 58 in Wallingford.  Investigators stopped the first vehicle, detained the driver, and seized approximately $23,000 in cash.  Montanez was then taken into custody at the service plaza.  He has been detained since his arrest.

On January 28, 2026, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Montanez with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Montanez appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan 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.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force, DEA Omaha, and the Seward County (Neb.) Sheriff’s Office.  The Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, and the New Haven, Waterbury, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, Middletown, and Shelton Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan J. Keefe.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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