Stamford Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Heroin Trafficking

A Guatamalan citizen most recently residing in Stamford was sentenced Thursday to more than 10 years in prison, the United States Attorney's Office announced. 

According to District of Connecticut Attorney David B. Fein, Juan Ruano, 49, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release after being convicted on heroin trafficking charges.

Ruano was arrested with his wife Saira Ruano on December 19, 2011, in the parking lot of Windsor Locks hotel after they accepted a delivery of luggage containing approximately 11 kilograms of heroin, according to Fein.

15 cnas marked as refried beans hid the heroin, which had been smuggled in from Guatamala City, Guatamala, according to Fein, who said a search of Ruano's car revealed a black trash bag with $18,000 cash that was supposed to go to other members of the ring who had arranged for the transport.

Police said more than $200,000 in transactions were made on joint bank accounts owned by the Ruanos between May 2010 and December 2011. Ruano, who has been held since his arrest, pleaded guilty on September 28, 2012 to one count conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

Ruano also forfeited the $18,000 seized at the time of his arrest Fein said.

Saira Ruano pleaded guilty to structuring financial transactions to avoid currency reporting requirements. on December 4, 2012. She awaits sentencing.