New Haven man sentenced for role in drug ring

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A New Haven man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for distributing heroin as part of a group that obtained drugs in the New York City area for sale in Connecticut.

Jerome Harper was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New Haven.

The 54-year-old Harper, also known as "Hop," pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to distribute heroin.

He is among 11 people who have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a Drug Enforcement Administration task force investigation called "Operation Brick House." Federal authorities say the investigation targeted a heroin distribution ring based in New Haven and led to the seizure of heroin, cocaine and four firearms.