Dominican National Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl Pills and Crystal Meth

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AURELIA CAROLINA LARA-DIAZ, 30, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Boston, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 50 months of imprisonment for trafficking fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a Drug Enforcement Administration's Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force investigation revealed that Lara-Diaz was trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine. Between November 2022 and January 2023, investigators made controlled purchases of fentanyl pills and crystal methamphetamine from Lara-Diaz. On January 26, 2023, investigators arranged the purchase of 3,000 fentanyl pills and 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine from Lara-Diaz for a total price of $65,000. Lara-Diaz was arrested after she arrived at a meeting location in Norwalk in possession of the drugs.

Lara-Diaz has been detained since her arrest. On November 8, 2023, she pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and methamphetamine,

Lara-Diaz, who was removed from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic in 2019, again faces immigration proceedings when she completes her prison term.

This matter was investigated by the DEA's Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.