Last week, a Stamford man was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for purchasing crack cocaine in Bronx, New York and selling it in Stamford.

The 48-year-old was reportedly arrested as part of "Operation Hammertime," which was a four-month task force wiretap investigation led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. In all, the investigation led to the arrest of 20 individuals on various narcotics and firearms charges all connected to distribution of crack and powder cocaine.

According to court documents and statements, the Stamford man purchased between 100 and 200 grams of cocaine in May and June 2010 from a dealer in Bronx. He then took the drugs to Stamford and Norwalk and sold them to customers in those areas.

During investigation, authorities seized over one kilogram of cocaine, over 200 grams of crack cocaine, and multiple bundles of heroine, as well as over $100,000 in cash, seven vehicles and two firearms.

At the time of his arrest on June 17, 2010, the man was apparently on probation, and has been incarcerated since then.

The dealer from whom the drugs were purchased has already pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and is currently awaiting sentences. The Stamford man pleaded guilty in January to using a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking felony.

As we noted some time back, federal authorities recently reduced the previously astronomical sentencing disparities between crack cocaine offenses and powder cocaine offenses. While the disparity used to amount to a difference of 100:1, it now sits at 18:1, with crack cocaine offenses receiving harsher penalties.

The sentencing reduction allowed many cocaine offenders the opportunity for early release, and has been a step in the right direction toward sentencing equality. But a significant disparity still exists.

Source: Stamford Advocate, "Drug dealer gets 30 months in prison," December 19, 2011.