A California man who was trafficking narcotics between Mexico and Connecticut has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison.
Jonathan Garcia, also known as “Gordo,” 37, of Long Beach, California, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 78 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. On Aug. 11, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
In 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force launched an investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking ring distributing kilogram quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in Connecticut the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Through the use of wiretaps, physical and electronic surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, investigators learned that the organization was reportedly receiving the narcotics from sources in California via Mexico, according to court records.
Investigators seized two packages that were mailed by a member of the organization from a post office in West Hartford to addresses in southern California. “One of the packages contained approximately $6,500 in cash and two new Apple iPhones, and the second package contained approximately $38,300 in cash,” court records show.
Investigators also determined that members of the Loose Cannonz motorcycle club, based in East Hartford, were receiving shipments of fentanyl and cocaine in the Hartford area, according to court records.
“During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Garcia and another individual were coordinating the shipment of kilogram-quantities of narcotics from Mexico to Connecticut,” court records show. On occasion, investigators said Garcia would travel to Connecticut to facilitate the transactions and collect the drug proceeds.
According to court records, Garcia’s criminal history includes a federal cocaine trafficking conviction in the Central District of California in 2017.
Garcia was arrested on Oct. 24, 2023. He is currently released on bond and is required to report to prison on April 22.