Mexican National Admits Distributing Cocaine in New Haven

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARTIN ONOFRE-MENDEZ, 50, a citizen of Mexico last residing in New Haven, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a cocaine trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2024, the DEA New Haven District Office Task Force learned that Onofre-Mendez was distributing narcotics from a restaurant on Grand Avenue in New Haven. Between May and September 2024, investigators made multiple controlled purchases totaling approximately 600 grams of cocaine from Onofre-Mendez.

Onofre-Mendez was arrested on October 1, 2024. On that date, investigators seized 225 grams of cocaine from Onofre-Mendez and 480 grams of cocaine from a location he used to store drugs. He has been detained since his arrest.

Onofre-Mendez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is scheduled to sentenced on December 12.

This matter has been investigated by the DEA New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force and the New Haven Police Department. The Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan J. Keefe.