United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – DEA New England Division Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle and United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut John H. Durham announced that Sunji Cramer, 40, of Meriden, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that a Waterbury-based drug trafficking organization was receiving large quantities of heroin and cocaine from various suppliers and distributing narcotics in and around Waterbury. Intercepted communications indicated that Cramer supplied approximately 100 grams of heroin to Domingo Alves, also known as “Mingo,” of Waterbury, knowing that Alves intend to the distribute the drug.

On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Cramer, Alves and 27 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.

Cramer and numerous codefendants were arrested on March 21, 2019. On that date, investigators seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin, 400 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of fentanyl/heroin mixed, 400 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack, 20 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl patches, a one-kilogram press, four handguns, approximately $120,000 in cash and four vehicles. Cramer has been detained since his arrest. On Sept. 9, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

Alves pleaded guilty on Nov. 20, 2019, and awaits sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments. 

# # #