David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Carmelo Cancel, also known as “Bebe,” 31, from Waterbury, has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison. This sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford and will be followed by three years of supervised release. Cancel was found guilty of supplying cocaine to two drug trafficking organizations operating in Waterbury.
The investigation into these organizations was conducted by the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies. One organization was led by Angel Quiros, also known as “Papa John,” and operated around William Street, while the other was headed by Daniel Diaz-Rivera and operated near Maple Avenue. The investigation involved wiretaps, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and controlled purchases of narcotics. It revealed that both organizations distributed cocaine, crack, and fentanyl through a network of sellers with Cancel providing cocaine to them.
Cancel, along with Quiros, Diaz-Rivera, and 14 others were charged with federal offenses due to this investigation. Arrests took place on November 29, 2023. During these arrests, search warrants were executed leading to the seizure of approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, over 900 vials of crack (“caps”), about 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags containing fentanyl/heroin mix, two stolen firearms with ammunition rounds and over $39,000 cash.
On April 23rd this year (2025), Cancel pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to distributing or possessing intent-to-distribute cocaine; he is out on a $100k bond until his report date for imprisonment set for September 17th.
Quiros has also pleaded guilty but awaits sentencing whereas Diaz-Rivera received a sentence totaling up-to-210 months’ imprisonment last June (2025).
This case saw collaborative efforts from various agencies including members from the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force comprising personnel from local police departments such as those based within Naugatuck & Wolcott alongside state-level entities like Connecticut State Police plus federal bodies including DEA & Homeland Security Investigations among others who assisted throughout proceedings too; it falls under Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Program handled by Assistant U.S Attorneys Natasha Freismuth & Shan Patel respectively – further details can be accessed via their official website link provided above here regarding OCDETF Program itself if interested so wish!
Lastly yet importantly enough mentioned: U.S Attorney Sullivan expressed gratitude towards cooperation extended courtesy Waterbury State Attorney’s Office concerning both investigative phases alongside subsequent prosecutorial aspects involved therein accordingly acknowledged duly noted indeed rightly deservedly so without question whatsoever…
