Saint Dominic.- The Administration ofUnited States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in coordination with the FBI and the New Haven Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), arrested six people accused of being part of a drug trafficking and firearms trafficking network that operated in the states of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, allegedly led by a Dominican citizen residing in the Dominican Republic.
The announcement was made by the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David X. Sullivanwho reported that the detainees are Manolin Vargas D’Olón, alias “Robelin”, 30 years old; Giovanni Benoit, of 41; Álvaro Pérez, 40; Anderson Amador Nova, 35; Ángel Vásquez, alias “Bebo”, 36; and Andy Martínez, 46 years old.
According to court documents, the organization distributed narcotics and firearms through multiple redistributors in several cities in the country. northeastern United States.
During the investigation, authorities conducted more than 30 controlled purchases, in which more than a kilogram of fentanyl was seized, more than 200 grams of methamphetamine and at least 17 firearms.
Laboratory analysis of fentanyl revealed that some of the substance was mixed with bromazolam, a relatively new synthetic benzodiazepine, increasingly identified in drug combinations associated with fatal overdoses.
Authorities also allege that the Dominican citizen identified as the leader of the network claimed to have the ability to order acts of violence against people in the United States.
Federal indictment and possible sentences
A federal grand jury in New Haven issued a 15-count indictment against the six defendants on December 9, 2025, which was made public this Tuesday. The charges include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as multiple crimes related to illegal firearms trafficking.
If found guilty, Vargas D’Olón would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison. Benoit, Pérez and Amador Nova could receive minimum sentences of five years and maximum sentences of up to 40 years in prison, while Vásquez faces a maximum sentence of 20 years. Arms trafficking charges carry additional penalties of up to 15 years in prison for each charge.
Vargas D’Olón, Benoit, Vásquez and Martínez are accused of conspiracy to traffic weapons; Vargas D’Olón also faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm as a foreigner with an irregular immigration status; Vasquez for possession of a weapon as a convicted felon; and Vargas D’Olón, Benoit and Vásquez for illegal transfer of weapons.
Additional charges for child pornography
The court record details that in May 2025, Vargas D’Olón was arrested on state narcotics charges. Analysis of a seized cell phone later revealed video and image files containing child pornography, stored in cache folders of the encrypted messaging app Telegram.
Because of this, a grand jury returned a separate indictment against Vargas D’Olón for possession of child pornography, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Procedural situation
All six defendants appeared in federal court. Vargas D’Olón, Pérez, Amador Nova and Vásquez remain detained, while Benoit and Martínez were released on bail and sent to house arrest.
Prosecutor Sullivan reiterated that a formal accusation does not constitute proof of guilt and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, created to combat transnational criminal organizations, drug and weapons trafficking, as well as crimes involving minors, through inter-institutional coordination at the federal level.
