New Haven Man Gets 20 Months for Cocaine Trafficking at Grand Avenue

A New Haven man was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison on March 3, 2026, for distributing cocaine from a restaurant on Grand Avenue, with federal authorities saying he will be deported to Mexico when his sentence is complete.

Martin Onofre-Mendez, 50, a Mexican citizen who had been living in New Haven, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in federal court in New Haven. He pleaded guilty on Sept. 19, 2025, to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Onofre-Mendez has remained in federal custody since his October 2024 arrest.

DEA Investigation Began With Grand Avenue Restaurant Tip

The DEA New Haven District Office Task Force opened an investigation in 2024 after receiving information that Onofre-Mendez was distributing narcotics from a restaurant on Grand Avenue in New Haven's Fair Haven neighborhood.

Between May and September 2024, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases from Onofre-Mendez, acquiring a total of 600 grams of cocaine through the undercover operations.

On Oct. 1, 2024, law enforcement arrested Onofre-Mendez. Investigators seized 225 grams of cocaine from his person at the time of arrest and recovered an additional 480 grams from a location he used to store drugs.

Co-Defendant Awaits Sentencing

Eygner Huezo, 36, a Salvadoran citizen, was identified as Onofre-Mendez's associate during the investigation. Huezo was observed supplying Onofre-Mendez with cocaine just before two of the controlled purchases, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Huezo pleaded guilty on Nov. 10, 2025, to a related charge and is awaiting sentencing.

Sentence and Deportation

Judge Hall imposed a sentence of 20 months in federal prison. Upon completion of the prison term, Onofre-Mendez will be removed to Mexico by federal immigration authorities.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, which prosecuted the case, announced the sentence on March 4, 2026.

DEA Task Force Operations in New Haven

The DEA New Haven District Office Task Force is a multi-agency unit that coordinates drug trafficking investigations across New Haven County and surrounding areas. The task force operates as part of the DEA's broader enforcement network and works alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Drug trafficking prosecutions involving Grand Avenue and the Fair Haven neighborhood have been a recurring focus of DEA and federal law enforcement activity in New Haven in recent years. Federal prosecutors have brought charges in numerous cases connected to distribution networks operating in the city's commercial corridors.

Fair Haven is one of New Haven's most densely populated neighborhoods, home to a large immigrant community. Federal drug enforcement actions in the neighborhood have at times drawn scrutiny from community advocates who question the impact of immigration-enforcement consequences — such as deportation — on families and communities in the area. No public response from community organizations or Onofre-Mendez's legal representatives was available as of the time of publication.

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