NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Wednesday, January 20, 2004

HPD VICE AND NARCOTICS HIT NORTH DISTRICT HOT SPOTS; ARREST 33.

(Hartford) - On January 20, 2004, in operations targeting hot spots in Hartford's north district, Detectives of the Hartford Police Department's Vice and Narcotics Division arrested 33, seized large bags of marijuana, approximately $1,000 in U.S. Currency, two firearms, and packaging materials for the distribution of drugs.

At 10 a.m., Detectives executed one search and seizure warrant and arrested eighteen individuals involved in the sale and purchase of drugs in Hartford's Northend.  Charges included Criminal attempt to Possess a Controlled Substance, Criminal Attempt to Possess a Controlled Substance, Assault on Police, Interfering with Police, Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell (PWITS), and PWITS within 1,500 feet of a School.  During this operation, Hartford Police served an arrest warrant charging Hawes Rodrick, DOB 6/19/65, of 50 Main Street, Hartford, with Threatening.  See the attached listing of the 18 arrestees.

At a separate operation, at approximately 1646 hours, Vice and Narcotics Detectives executed a Search and Seizure Warrant at 131 Clark Street, Apartment #2, Hartford.   As a result of the warrant, Detectives seized 34 large bags of marijuana, $617 in U.S. Currency, a scale, packaging materials, and two firearms: a .22 caliber pistol and a .22 caliber Ruger.  While executing the search warrant, Detectives set up a reverse sting operation in the front hallway and arrested another thirteen individuals for attempting to purchase marijuana.  Arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, PWITS a Controlled Substance, PWITS within 1,500 feet of a School, and 2 Counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm was Hector Rivera, 12-2-74, of 131 Clark Street.  Arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, PWITS of a Controlled Substance, and PWITS within 1,500 feet of a School was Melissa Smart, 11-02-77 of 131 Clark Street, Hartford.  The names of the additional 13 arrestees charged with attempting to purchase marijuana were not available at this writing.

"The Hartford Police Department will continue to conduct narcotics enforcement throughout the city.  We will not be deterred.  We will continue to be relentless in pursuing those contributing to drug driven crime in our neighborhoods," stated Lt. Harold Even, Commander of HPD's Vice and Narcotics.  "We ask anyone with information about illegal drug activity to call the HPD's tip hotline, (860) 525-DRUGS.  We guarantee all information will be kept in the strictest of confidence," concluded Even.

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
Visit www.hartford.gov for more Police News.
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