Source: Office of United States Attorneys
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found MARIO PASCUAL-AQUINO, 44, of Torrington, guilty of fentanyl trafficking offenses.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, this matter stems from a DEA Hartford Task Force investigation of a Hartford-based drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of a large amount of fentanyl and other narcotics, and the transportation and laundering of cash proceeds from their drug trafficking activity. In January 2022, law enforcement coordinated a motor vehicle stop of a minivan and seized $92,000 from a hidden compartment. The investigation revealed that Harold Luis Del Orbe, also known as “Jaro,” was directing the operators of the minivan to conduct narcotics-related transactions on his behalf. On November 16, 2022, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment on Putnam Heights in Hartford and seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Pascual-Aquino, Del Orbe, and others were present in the apartment at the time of the search.
The trial before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver began on May 14, 2025. On May 19, Pascual-Aquino was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. At sentencing, which is scheduled for August 13, Pascual-Aquino faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Pascual-Aquino, who had been released on bond, was remanded to custody at the conclusion of his trial.
Del Orbe pleaded guilty to related charges and, on May 6, 2025, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.
In April 2017, Pascual-Aquino was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 30 months of imprisonment for his role in a stolen identity tax refund scheme.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone and Robert S. Dearington through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.