Feds: Northford Drug Dealer 'Big Baby' Gets 10-Year Sentence

A 30-year-old Northford man could spend the next 10 years in prison after he was sentenced Friday for narcotics trafficking, as part of New Haven-area joint law enforcement investigation "Operation Bloodline."

Britt Martin — also known as “Big Baby" — was sentenced by federal Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, according to the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

'White Boy Chris'

According to Tom Carson, the communications manager for the Connecticut U.S. Attorney's Office, one target of the Operation Bloodline investigation was Christopher “White Boy Chris” Morley, who operated a large-scale drug trafficking operation in the greater New Haven area, involving cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone. 

"The investigation revealed that Martin conspired with Morley to obtain large quantities of cocaine and marijuana from sources of supply in New York City," Carson stated in a press release.

He added that some of the cocaine was converted to crack, "and the drugs were sold to customers and other drug distributors in and around New Haven."

Drugs, Cash, Loaded Revolver

Martins' criminal history includes an arrest in December 2011, when law police officers stopped a car in which Martin was a passenger — and found him in possession of some eight ounces of marijuana.

"A subsequent search of a residence connected to Martin revealed more than two pounds of marijuana, approximately $18,500 in cash and a loaded revolver that had been stolen," Carson stated.

Pleading Guilty

Martin has been detained since his federal arrest on May 22, 2012. 

On Nov. 12, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.        

Morley has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

'Operation Bloodline'

According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation that led to Martin's arrest was part of “Operation Bloodline,” which targeted narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  

Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.  

More than 100 individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.

Multi-Agency Effort

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments. 

The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.