Angel Quiros, also known as “Papa John,” has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking organization in Waterbury. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford, and will be followed by four years of supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made during the proceedings, law enforcement agencies investigated two drug trafficking organizations operating in Waterbury. Quiros led one group based around William Street, while Daniel Diaz-Rivera led another on Maple Avenue. The investigation involved wiretaps, video surveillance, GPS tracking, and controlled narcotics purchases. Authorities found that both organizations distributed cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl through a network of sellers and often collaborated to further their operations.
The investigation resulted in federal charges against Quiros, Diaz-Rivera, and 15 others. On November 29, 2023, several individuals including Quiros were arrested. Law enforcement executed multiple search warrants at that time and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials of crack, about 200 grams of loose fentanyl, over 1,600 dose bags containing fentanyl or heroin, two stolen firearms, ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash. Items seized from Quiros included quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, over $6,000 in cash, and jewelry valued at more than $24,000.
Quiros pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine. He had been released on a $100,000 bond but is required to report to prison on October 20, 2025.
Daniel Diaz-Rivera also pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced on June 23, 2025 to serve 210 months in prison.
The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force led the investigation with members from several agencies including the FBI itself as well as the Waterbury Police Department, Naugatuck Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. Additional support came from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police as well as police departments from Wolcott and Meriden.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel are prosecuting this case under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program; more information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
“U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.”
