NL MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGE IN FEDERAL COURT

A New London man faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison after he pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to distribute drugs.

State and city police executing a March 2017 search warrant found 14.5 grams of heroin, approximately 27 grams of cocaine and approximately 177 grams of crack cocaine in a New London apartment connected to Bashon Whitley, 27, and his uncle, Anthony Whitley.

They also found items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, ammunition and $9,180 in cash.

Members of the state police Statewide Narcotics Task Force — East charged both men with multiple drug-related charges. Both later were arrested on federal charges.

Bashon Whitley pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in New Haven to conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, powdered cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine base.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27. He faces a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison, up to a maximum of 40 years. He has been detained since federal authorities arrested him on Jan. 24.

Anthony Whitley faces federal narcotics trafficking and firearm possession charges and has been detained while awaiting trial.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force — East and New London police conducted the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth is prosecuting the case.