The Day – Driver stopped with fentanyl in Old Lyme sentenced to 33 months in prison

A 27-year-old Providence man who was pulled over in Old Lyme in September 2017 while transporting a kilogram of fentanyl from New York to Rhode Island was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Gabri Javier Delapaz, who has no prior criminal convictions, has been detained since his arrest on Sept. 13, 2017. On Jan. 16, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

A citizen of the Dominican Republic and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., he faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Sept. 13, 2017, Delapaz and his associate, Alcides Alba-Gomez, traveled from Rhode Island to New York to pick up narcotics from a supplier. As they were returning to Rhode Island, the Connecticut State Police stopped their car on Interstate 95 in Old Lyme. A search of the car revealed a package containing approximately one kilogram of fentanyl hidden beneath a rear seat cushion.

Alba-Gomez, 29, of Providence, pleaded guilty to the same offense on Jan. 24, 2019. On April 18, he was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East, and the New London Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Dave Vatti.