Branford Police Help Bust Oxycodone Ring

The following is a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Michael Marchitto Jr., 30, of Hamden, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for leading a New Haven-area drug ring that trafficked in oxycodone, a powerful prescription pain killer.

This matter stems from “Operation Big Blue,” a year-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force into Marchitto's oxycodone trafficking operation. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, and controlled purchases and seizures of oxycodone. Sixteen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Marchitto and his associates were involved in the distribution of substantial quantities of oxycodone in and around New Haven. Marchitto and others regularly traveled, at Marchitto's expense, to Florida where they obtained prescriptions for large amounts of oxycodone at unscrupulous pain clinics, commonly referred to as “pill mills.”  He also arranged to have three Florida residents ship bulk quantities of oxycodone to him on a regular basis. Marchitto sold most of the pills that he and his associates were able to acquire to an established network of redistributors in Connecticut.

Marchitto was arrested on April 7, 2011. On that date he was found in possession of approximately 2,000 oxycodone pills.

On July 29, 2011, Marchitto pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and one count of money laundering.

Marchitto also has forfeited a 2010 Acura TL that he purchased using approximately $44,000 in drug proceeds.

This matter was investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force, including personnel from the New Haven, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Hamden, Branford Police Department, and Wallingford Police Departments, and the United States Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick Caruso and Douglas Morabito.