A Hartford resident arrested in a law enforcement crackdown on gang-related violence and drug dealing was sentenced Friday to two years in prison, the Hartford Courant reported. The man, who is 22, was one of 55 people arrested by a task force composed of local, state and federal prohibition agents in an operation titled "Operation Solid Gold." Prosecutors said the man was supplied with cocaine by a member of the Latin Kings gang who controlled drug trafficking in the Arnold Street area.
According to a Connecticut US Attorney's Office, "Operation Solid Gold" took a year and involved court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of cocaine and heroin, and physical surveillance.
Sales and use of illegal drugs have continued in the area since that time, despite the expenditure of law enforcement resources to target the now-former dealers. Other cities have found the drug trade tends to return to previous levels within a couple of weeks from the conclusion of such operations.
