Connecticut
Illegal Trade In Connecticut
Today, Connecticut is evolving into a hub of technological know-how, building off its maritime traditions and long history of financial services. Unfortunately, what makes Connecticut a bedrock of prosperity and American values also attracts dangerous criminals.
From knockoff name brand apparel to endangered glass eels, black-market criminals have no limit to what they will traffic to make money. Crimes such as counterfeit computer chips are sometimes viewed as minor infractions, but they’re often connected to organized criminal organizations which use the profits to fund their more nefarious activities—including the trafficking of illicit drugs and weapons.
Due to its central location the Northeast Corridor, and exceptional transportation infrastructure, the Nutmeg State serves as a transshipment point for illicit drug trafficking. In 2016, Connecticut ranked in the top 10 for overdoses from heroin and fentanyl. In 2018, Connecticut had the ninth highest rate of drug poisoning involving cocaine, at 9.1 deaths per 100,000 population. These activities flood communities with contraband and have rippling effects of instability and violence that harm all Nutmeggers.
While law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can, it’s too much for them to handle alone. This is why USA-IT is so proud to be working locally in Connecticut. Together, we can transplant this criminality and sustain a more secure Connecticut.
We are United to Safeguard Connecticut from Illegal Trade.
Working together to fight back
We’re building crucial relationships and sharing our collective, vast expertise with state and local agencies, law enforcement, the business community, and others. Stay tuned for more updates.
Protecting Connecticut:
What we’re up against
In 2018, Connecticut had the 9th highest rate of drug poisoning involving cocaine, at 9.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
In 2016, Connecticut ranked in the top 10 for overdoses from heroin and fentanyl.
Total revenue lost due to tobacco smuggling in Connecticut: $118 million.
In 2021 alone, retail thefts in Connecticut totaled $711 million and cost more than $76 million in state and local taxes.