Gawayne Fisher, also known as "Fruit" and "Tank," has been sentenced to 217 months in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking operation while on supervised release. U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden issued the sentence in New Haven, which includes five years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Fisher's legal troubles date back to August 2009 when he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for cocaine trafficking. Released in February 2015, Fisher resumed illegal activities by 2022, according to court documents and statements.
An investigation involving the DEA New Haven Task Force and other law enforcement agencies revealed that Fisher was involved in distributing heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, counterfeit oxycodone, and alprazolam pills. This operation included wiretaps, surveillance, and controlled narcotics purchases.
Fisher was arrested on April 13, 2023, along with three associates. Searches conducted at various locations linked to Fisher uncovered substantial quantities of drugs and cash. Specifically, authorities found approximately 16 kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of fentanyl among other items at a stash location used by Fisher.
On January 11, 2024, Fisher pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to drug distribution and money laundering. His sentence comprises two parts: 180 months for these offenses plus an additional consecutive term of 37 months for violating his supervised release conditions.
The investigation was supported by multiple law enforcement bodies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police among others. Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth is prosecuting the case under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program aimed at dismantling criminal organizations through collaborative efforts across various levels of law enforcement.