Member of Southeastern Connecticut Drug Ring Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

 John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAMEL GENERAL, also known as “Ra,” 38, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.  General worked closely with an identified leader of a drug trafficking network, distributing cocaine on behalf of the organization and assisting in maintaining an apartment in New London that served as the organization’s primary narcotics distribution location.  On February 21, 2019, in association with the arrests of several of General’s co-conspirators, a search of the New London apartment revealed more than 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than 350 grams of heroin, and 10 firearms.

General was arrested on February 26, 2019.  On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging General and 23 other individuals with various offenses. 

On May 27, 2019, General, who was released on bond, was arrested by New London Police and charged with multiple offenses stemming from his alleged assault of a woman with whom he was romantically involved.  General’s federal bond was revoked on June 4, 2019.

On March 6, 2020, General pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

The state charges against General related to the May 27, 2019, incident are pending

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.