News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2004

NEW YORK MAN INDICTED ON HEROIN TRAFFICKING CHARGE

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport today returned an Indictment charging PAVEL IVAN VINAS, age 33, of 122-19 150th Avenue, Queens, New York, with attempting to possess with the intent to distribute between one and three kilograms of heroin between July and August 2004. The Indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $26,515, a Bulgari wristwatch, two cars, and VINAS' pilot license.

If convicted, VINAS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a fine of up to $4 million.

U.S. Attorney O'Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and its HIDTA task force, which is comprised of police officers from local police departments including Fairfield, Norwalk, Easton, and Stamford.