Waterbury Drug Distributor Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison
A Waterbury man involved in a sprawling drug trafficking network has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison following an extensive investigation that targeted two interconnected narcotics operations in the city. Luis Munoz, 41, also known as “P.R.” and “Puerto Rico,” received a 40-month prison term from U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford, along with three years of supervised release to follow.
According to prosecutors and court records, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force—working alongside multiple law enforcement agencies—uncovered two major drug organizations operating in Waterbury. One group, led by Angel Quiros, controlled activity around William Street, while the other, headed by Daniel Diaz-Rivera, operated near Maple Avenue. Investigators used wiretaps, video surveillance, GPS tracking and a series of controlled narcotics purchases to reveal how the organizations distributed cocaine, crack and fentanyl through a network of street sellers. Although technically separate, the two groups shared suppliers, coordinated operations and sold drugs at all hours.
Munoz served as one of the dealers for the Quiros organization, distributing cocaine, crack and fentanyl. The federal investigation ultimately resulted in charges against Munoz, Quiros, Diaz-Rivera and 14 additional associates. The arrests took place on November 29, 2023, and were accompanied by a series of search warrants that yielded significant quantities of narcotics and weapons. Law enforcement seized roughly 700 grams of crack cocaine, over 900 crack vials, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 bags of fentanyl/heroin, two stolen firearms, ammunition and over $39,000 in cash. From Munoz specifically, investigators recovered about 234 grams of cocaine, 22 grams of fentanyl and $2,100 in cash.
Munoz pleaded guilty on March 7, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. He had been free on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to report to prison on January 16. His co-defendants have already received substantial sentences: Quiros was sentenced to 63 months in prison, while Diaz-Rivera received a 210-month sentence for his leadership role in the Maple Avenue operation.
The wide-ranging investigation involved cooperation from numerous local, state and federal agencies. Members of the FBI, Waterbury Police, Naugatuck Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction led the task force, with assistance from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut State Police and several local police departments including Wolcott and Meriden. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Program, which focuses on dismantling complex drug networks.
U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its collaboration throughout the case, noting that the combined effort significantly disrupted the drug trade in several Waterbury neighborhoods.
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