People on and around the historic New Haven Green near Yale University began falling ill shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday, and the overdoses continued into Thursday morning. Reyes said the joint city, state, federal investigation remains in progress. "Yesterday was extremely, extremely busy, something we haven't seen in quite some time, a lot of people dropping all at the same time," Fontana said. Police said what was going on in the camper could have blown up neighborhood. Alejandrino " Baby Boo " DeJesus, 38, of the Fair Haven section of the city, admitted to his role in a drug dealing conspiracy in New Haven in August when he pleaded guilty to one count of. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force began an investigation into a New Haven-based drug trafficking network headed by Michael Smith. He said members of the group, part of Project Longevity, identified themselves as violent by committing violent acts and sparked the inquiry. Last September, Mr. Pettola was one of several New Haven officers on hand at a press conference to announce what may be the largest drug bust in Connecticut history. On February 15, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging the eight defendants with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute various quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base (crack) and cocaine. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, he has worked for the Valley Advocate, MassLive and The Register Citizen. "Today's emergency is deeply troubling and illustrative of the very real and serious threat that illicit street drugs pose to health of individuals," the Democratic governor said in a statement. The Richard C. Lee United States Courthouse, the home of U.S. District Court in New Haven, at 141 Church St. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media Jacobson said the investigation began more than a year ago and spanned multiple towns, cities and states. NEW HAVEN, CT A West Haven resident was among the 25 people arrested Wednesday on federal drug charges in connection to gang-related activity in and around New Haven, according to authorities. Its extremely dangerous, said Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police said. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Tobin admitted shooting Hart after being robbed during an alleged drug deal. An official website of the United States government. (Tempe PD). In 2022, DEA seized more than double the amount of fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills that it seized in 2021. Red, 32, of New Haven, THEODORE SMITH, a.k.a. font size, Connecticut State Police Make Drug Bust In New Haven. The indictment also charges several defendants with one or more counts related to the distribution of various narcotics. On behalf of the New Haven Police Department, I want to thank the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners for their work in this investigation and for the ongoing collaboration to reduce gun violence and improve the quality of life for the citizens of New Haven, Reyes said. WATERBURY, Conn. (1010 WINS) -- A New Haven DEA task force arrested 14 people on Wednesday during a massive drug bust in Waterbury that also yielded 18 kilos of drugs, $290,000 in cash and . Theres some gang activity and theres a lot of drug trafficking activity, but what got us on to this group was the violence, said Jacobson. It worked. The other defendants, if convicted of this charge, face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Its cross-border operations stretch deep into the United States, reaching states far from the border including Minnesota, Washington State, and Rhode Island, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. West Haven police said local officers and agents with the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration found 1,700 pounds of marijuana on Wednesday when they stopped a U-Haul truck while investigating what they called an international marijuana trafficking operation. There are numerous chemicals involved here. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, also revealed that the drug trafficking organization had established a base of operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, according to authorities. The cocaine and cash seized earlier this month was extraordinary, and would not have been accomplished without a terrific, coordinated effort by all involved. Fox News' Bill Melugin reports the latest on the drug bust. As a result of the investigation, sheriff's officials . They'd been called there repeatedly over the past year by neighbors frustrated by the decline of a beautiful house one door down from the intersection of Ella Grasso Boulevard. If convicted of this offense, based on the quantity of heroin charged, Backman, Atkinson and Draughn face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. Lil B, LB and Little Black, 33, of New Haven. The investigation subsequently identified a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin. This is a carousel. Last year, in 2020, Waterbury saw well over 400 non-fatal overdoses, well over a hundred fatal overdoses in this community and thats a tragedy.. Sheriffs officials also said undercover detectives contacted Diana Salas Patino, 30, of Warner Robbins, Ga.to arrange for the delivery of a large amount of methamphetamine and cocaine to a location in Lakeland. Charged in the indictment, according to authorities, are: Tommy Julius, aka General and J, 36; Carl Merritt, aka C, 39; Brian K. Backman, aka B, NYB and New York B, 54; Bryant Williams, 44; Eric Burruss, aka E, 40; Tyrese Stanley, aka Scoot, 29; Melvin Roberts, aka Psycho and Mel, 62; Sharmaine Crosley, aka Shar, 35; Jessenia Roman, aka Red, 32; Theodore Smith, aka Ted, 36; Gerard Senior, 20; Shavar Bellamy, aka Lil B, LB and Little Black, 33, all of New Haven. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Kenneth L. Gresham through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. Today we reinforce our commitment and we move a step closer to making the city (safe) from gun violence, said Reyes. A joint investigation by Waterbury police and the Drug Enforcement Agency's New Haven task force determined Nestor Sosa-Ortiz, 35, led the organization that received drugs from suppliers in . The indictment charges Julius, Merritt, Carr, Backman, Atkinson, Williams, Brazier, Burruss, Brandy, Turner, Crosley, Roman, Smith, Carter, Senior, Bellamy, Moore and Armstrong with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine base (crack), cocaine and heroin. That drew this reaction from a parkgoer News 8 spoke with, asking how he now feels walking his dogs there. According to deputies, PSCO obtained a search warrant for the Winter Haven residence where the package was to be delivered and arrested Stacy Nylen, 41, of Winter Haven and Shawn Sutter, 41 of Pinellas Park. B, NYB and New York B, 54, of New Haven, ANDERSON ATKINSON, a.k.a. ", First published on August 15, 2018 / 11:15 AM. NEW HAVEN -- The police narcotics squad arrested five people in two investigations Tuesday and seized cash, cocaine and over 1,000 packets of heroin. The Island Brothers were more prominent in past years, Jacobson said. State and Federal law enforcement arrested 51 people in Connecticut on Friday as part of a massive undercover operation that resulted in the seizure of thousands of bags of heroin, guns and 15,000 . We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. If convicted of this offense, based on the type and quantity of narcotics charged, Julius, Merritt, Carr, Burruss, Crosley and Bellamy face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, officials said. It would start in the camper, and then be taken to the basement to be crystallized. The other defendants, if convicted of this charge, face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Speaking at a Thursday afternoon press conference, law enforcement said investigators have seized more than 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 66 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 138 kilograms of cocaine,. When Merritt was arrested, he had $73,343 in cash and six cell phones on him. Drug ring busted, 23 face federal charges. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, 2 arrested after 70+ people believed to overdose on K2 near Conn. park. by: LaSalle Blanks, Multimedia Journalist. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. Now, theyve shut the alleged lab down andthe Drug Enforcement Agency sent a team to take the contents to Boston. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut, Eight Charged after FBI New Haven Task Force Investigation; 19 Kilos of Cocaine,$780K Seized, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, Meriden Man Charged with Cocaine Trafficking Offenses, Jury Finds Waterbury Man Guilty of Narcotics Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses, Armed Waterbury Gang Member Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Distribution Offense, Eight Charged After FBI New Haven Task Force Investigation; 19 Kilos of Cocaine,$780K Seized. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The investigation subsequently identified a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin., As alleged, these drug trafficking networks have been responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of heroin, crack and cocaine in Connecticut and Massachusetts, said Connecticut U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, in the release. Dannel P. Malloy said the state departments of Public Health and Mental Health and Addiction Services were helping New Haven officials. Jack, 45, of Bridgeport, MAKENE JACOBS, a.k.a. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. C, 39, of New Haven, BRIAN K. BACKMAN, a.k.a. A search of a minivan revealed approximately 19 kilograms of cocaine; a search of a vehicle registered to Spearman revealed $750,400 in cash, assorted jewelry and a quantity of fentanyl; and a search of the Ward Street residence revealed additional cash, several money counters, and numerous cellphones. At the time of Merritts arrest, he was also in the possession of $73,343 in cash and six cellphones, according to authorities. Connecticut State Police Make Drug Bust In New Haven. Opinion: OPINION: Florida is safe. Thousands of pounds of drugs, including 4.5million fentanyl pills, were seized during a massive drug bust in Arizona that lead to the arrest of over 150 Sinaloa Cartel associates. The indictment charges Julius, Merritt, Carr, Backman, Atkinson, Williams, Brazier, Burruss, Brandy, Turner, Crosley, Roman, Smith, Carter, Senior, Bellamy, Moore and Armstrong with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine base (crack), cocaine and heroin. On February 4, 2022, investigators arrested Spearman and Hillard after they met in the Bronx, New York, and a search of Hillards car revealed more than 7,000 folds of suspected heroin/fentanyl and approximately $30,000 in cash. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. NEW HAVEN City police and federal authorities announced 25 members of an alleged drug ring responsible for recent violence in the city were indicted Wednesday. Deutsche promised to be a responsible landlord in New Haven. Don't ruin it by releasing felons early, These are people who profit from making drugs available to the children of our community, as well as many loved-ones who are battling severe addictions," Judd said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Police arrested 13 people Friday morning and expect more arrests throughout the day. Waterbury Police say they were raiding the home as part of a bigger drug trafficking investigation. A grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment Tuesday related to the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin in Connecticut and Massachusetts, U.S. States Attorney for Connecticut John H. Durham announced in a joint press release with Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, and New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes. Officials said the pills represented 30 million potentially lethal doses. Merced said Canfield found the recipe for DMT and was trying to see if it would catch on. Officials said the pills represented 30 million potentially lethal doses. The Island Brothers were very active in the city in the late 1980s and early 90s, and profited from drug dealing and associated violence, but prosecutions decades later still targeted alleged members of the gang. Police also arrested two people they suspect were part of an extensive drug . The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, also revealed that the drug trafficking organization had established a base of operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, according to authorities. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment Tuesday related to the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin in Connecticut and Massachusetts, U.S. States Attorney for. Don't ruin it by releasing felons early, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @RELReports. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. E, 40, of New Haven, PRISHONNA TURNER, a.k.a. Official websites use .gov In an apparently unrelated case, police Wednesday said they planned Thursday to announce an arrest in a homicide that occurred in 2013. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Hartford Hospital's Transplant Team Saves Lives Every Day, NBC & Telemundo Connecticut Job Opportunities. The investigation subsequently identified a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin. Psycho and Mel, 62, of New Haven, Todays takedown is yet another example of our great working relationship with the New Haven Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners across the state, Turner said. In addition narcotics detectives seized bank records and other financial documents at both addresses. Just living here for a year and a half, this is a nice quiet neighborhood, said Angel Fontan said. How does the chief measure significant? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I am grateful for the dedication and hard work from everyone involved in this investigation.. Thirteen kilograms of cocaine, nearly two kilograms of heroin, about a half kilogram of crack cocaine, as well as a significant amount well over a pound of methamphetamine, he said. It could result in people getting really hurt, explosions. "This investigation is a testament to our strong partnerships, which enable us to gain the necessary advantage over these evil criminal networks.". As alleged, these drug trafficking networks have been responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of heroin, crack and cocaine in Connecticut and Massachusetts, Durham said in a statement. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. In addition narcotics detectives seized bank records and other financial documents at both addresses. JAMES HILLARD, 64, of New York and New Jersey The federal Drug Enforcement Administration tested some of the synthetic marijuana seized in New Haven and did not find fentanyl, said Fontana, the city's emergency operations director. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS "This bust is just one example of the fine work being done by these detectives.. When the accused, Julio Ramos (DOB: 07/24/81) of 125 Old Sachems Head Road, Guilford accepted the shipment he was taken custody by Connecticut State Police Narcotics detectives. They said theyve never seen anything suspicious going on next door. The success of this case is credited to Connecticut State Police, Guilford and New Haven Police. A second team of Connecticut State Police Narcotics Detectives executed a search & seizure warrant at 125 Old Sachem Head Road in Guilford where additional marijuana and cash were seized at the Guilford location. Its very volatile. Spring & Summer at Mt. Mac and Bridgeport, 43, of West Haven, TYRESE STANLEY, a.k.a. Today, we stand together to reinforce, to anyone that would choose to pick up a gun in the city of New Haven, that we will not tolerate gun violence in our city.. In one of the six homicides, James M. Tobin, 32, of Seymour, was charged with murder May 29 for allegedly shooting and killing Thomas Hart on Congress Avenue May 21. Scoot, 29, of New Haven, MELVIN ROBERTS, a.k.a. The search also found and seized five firearms. Psycho and Mel, 62, of New Haven, Todays takedown is yet another example of our great working relationship with the New Haven Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners across the state, Turner said. B, NYB and New York B, 54, of New Haven, ANDERSON ATKINSON, a.k.a. Ramos was charged with numerous narcotics violations and held on $750,000 bond. The investigation revealed that Hillard was supplying Spearman with heroin and fentanyl, and that Spearman was receiving kilogram quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from a source in Puerto Rico. Im in shock. He said the Green has become "a place of despair" and "no longer an attraction for families or economic development. Narcotics Detectives secured two search warrants one in New Haven and one in Guilford. PCSO still seek another suspect, Border Patrol: PCSO will back up agencies sending employees to border. Two men from Reston, Virginia, 23-year-old Jourdan Maniray and 20-year-old I'real Jones, were charged with possession with intent to sell over 1 kilogram of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. It wasn't clear if they have lawyers who could respond to the allegations. Salas Patino arrived at the meeting location with Julio Caderon Hernandez, 32, also ofWarner Robbins, Ga. on June 25 and both were arrested. Eighteen of the defendants were arrested Wednesday, five defendants were already in custody and two defendants are still being sought, officials said. Hed allegedly made three kilos, worth three million dollars. Posted Wed, Jul 10, 2019 at 5:57 pm ET. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. As a result of the investigation, sheriff's officials say they confiscated approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, 417 grams of oxycodone, four guns, a 2021 GMC Canyon ZR2 and $62,300 in cash. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. On 12/06/10, the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force developed information regarding a large shipment of marijuana that was being transported to the New . The indictment seeks the forfeiture of the cash and Merritts 2018 Nissan Maxima, the release said. Man wanted in Auburndale shooting turns himself in. or redistributed. Eighteen of the defendants were arrested Wednesday, five defendants were already in custody and two defendants are still being sought, officials said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. By Lori Lyle (NEW HAVEN, Ky., April 3rd, 2003, 6:55 p.m.)-- Kentucky State Police say they've made the largest drug bust ever in central Kentucky and taken a dangerous man off the streets.Police say they found more than $2 million worth of drugs and a stash of weapons in a drug raid at a home near New Haven. On April 12, Merritt was arrested after a search of his vehicle revealed a Berretta 9mm pistol and two loaded gun magazines. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of the cash and Merritts 2018 Nissan Maxima. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Connecticut Troopers arranged to coordinate a narcotics investigation as the narcotics were being delivered in Connecticut. When police busted what they call a psychedelic drug factory at 548 Woodward Ave. in New Haven Thursday, they stumbled across one of the largest drug seizures in the state -- $3 million. Inside Conyers' car, police say they found: 13 Kilograms of cocaine 354 grams of crystal. Police respond to the scene of multiple overdoses at a Connecticut-area park on Wed., Aug. 15, 2018. New Haven Police Department police cruisers. The indictment also charges several defendants with one or more counts related to the distribution of various narcotics. 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