Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GILBERTO VALENTIN, also known as “Miguel Perez-Sanchez,” 28, of Stamford, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute U-47700, a synthetic opioid.

VALENTIN, who was arrested on May 4, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, law enforcement identified VALENTIN as a suspected drug supplier of a heroin distributor residing in Albany, New York.  On May 4, 2018, the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Stamford Police Department conducted a search of VALENTIN’s residence at 69 Turn of River Road and seized a shoebox containing approximately 1,950 glassine folds of suspected narcotics packaged for resale.  Preliminary testing of the seized substance indicated the presence of a synthetic opioid known as U-47700, commonly referred to by the street name “pinks.”  The shoebox also contained approximately 51 grams of a compressed powder, consistent with heroin/ fentanyl and their derivatives, which has not yet been tested for safety reasons.

The charged offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Stamford Police Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.