CT man pleads not guilty to trafficking cocaine, fentanyl in New Haven area
A West Haven man has pleaded not guilty after being indicted on a federal narcotics charge.
Levern Marion, 35, appeared Tuesday in federal court in New Haven where he pleaded not guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a quantity of fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Federal officials said a grand jury returned an indictment against Marion last week.
According to authorities, the investigation into Marion’s alleged narcotics trafficking involved surveillance, “trash pulls” and traffic stops — all of which led investigators to believe he was distributing controlled substances “in and around” New Haven.
Marion has been in custody since his arrest on March 27, the same day authorities searched a New Haven residence with ties to the 35-year-old and reported seizing about 800 grams of cocaine, 260 grams of crack cocaine and numerous wax folds containing fentanyl, officials said.
Marion could face a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years if convicted of the narcotics charge.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department.