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STAMFORD, Conn. — Former Stamford resident Juan Ruano, 49, was sentenced to than 10 years in prison Thursday for heroin trafficking, said a statement from U.S. Attorney in Connecticut David B. Fein.
Ruano, a Guatemalan citizen, was arrested in December 2011 and pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, the statement said. After serving 130 months in prison, he will serve five years of supervised release.
Ruano and his wife, Saira Ruano, were arrested in Windsor Locks after receiving about 11 kilograms of heroin hidden in 15 cans marked refried beans from Guatemala, the statement said. Police also found a black plastic trash bag with $18,000 in cash in the back of their car, the statement said.
From May 2010 to December 2011, more than $200,000 in currency exchanges were transacted from bank accounts of both Ruanos, the statement said.
Ruano’s wife pleaded guilty to structuring financial transactions to avoid currency reporting requirements in December and awaits sentencing.
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