NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Thursday, February 5, 2004
 

FIVE HPD NARCOTICS OPERATIONS SHUT THREE DRUG FACTORIES; FOURTEEN ARRESTED.

(Hartford) - In five (5) separate operations, on February 2 and 4, 2004, Hartford Police Vice and Narcotics Detectives shut down three (3) Drug Factories, arrested fourteen individuals, seized over $5,000 in cash, 15 grams of crack cocaine, 24 bags of marijuana, and 158 bags of heroin ready for street sale.

Commenting on the operations, HPD Vice and Narcotics Commander Lieutenant Harold Even remarked, "These operations send a message that we are not just out their targeting street level drug trafficking, but are going after the Drug Factories, that mid-level supplier.  We have the resources and we will continue to focus on all levels of drug trade in the city."

The following are details of the drug raids:

On February 2, 2004, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Detectives executed a Search and Seizure Warrant at 30 Woodland Street, Apartment 4P. The investigation was the result of numerous citizen complaints involving narcotics dealing in the apartment building.  Detectives seized 3 ounces of cocaine, 12.3 grams of marijuana, 61 assorted pharmaceutical pills, $2,279.00 in U.S. Currency, and packaging materials, including grinders and scales.  Arrested for Operating a Drug Factory, Possession of Narcotics, Possession With Intent to Sell (PWITS) Narcotics, PWITS of Narcotics within 1,500' of a School, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and PWITS a Controlled Substance, and PWITS of a Controlled Substance Within 1,500 feet of a School was Eric Aurumson, DOB 10-02-81, of 30 Woodland Street, Apartment 4P.

On February 2, 2004, at 9:40 a.m., Narcotics Detectives executed a Search and Seizure Warrant at 19F Dutch Point.  The investigation was the result of numerous citizen complaints of narcotic dealing in the Dutch Point Housing Complex.  Detectives seized 89 bags of Heroin, $2,052.00 in U.S. Currency, and scales, stamps, cutting agent, and packaging materials.  Arrested for Operating a Drug Factory, Possession of Narcotics, PWITS of Narcotics, and PWITS of Narcotics Within 1,500 feet of a School were Lydia Chacon, DOB 5-21-49 and Veronica Valentin, DOB 8-24-84, both of 19F Dutch Point, Hartford.

On February 2, 2004, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Vice and Narcotics Detectives conducted an investigation based on numerous complaints of illegal narcotics activity in the area of Albany Avenue at Adams Street, an identified "Hot Spot" location.  The investigation resulted in the seizure of nine bags of marijuana, a small amount of U.S. Currency, and the arrest of Lisane Cohen, DOB 6-02-78 of 270 Vine Street, Hartford, charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Sale of a Controlled Substance, and Sale of a Controlled Substance Within 1,500 feet of a School.  Also arrested was Brian Lewis, DOB 11-23-80, of 123 and 1/2 Center Street, Hartford, charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Also on February 2, 2004, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Vice and Narcotics Detectives, based on numerous complaints of illegal narcotics activity in the area of Park and Wolcott Streets, conducted an investigation resulting in the arrest of five individuals, the closure of a Drug Factory, the seizure of Nine (9g) grams of heroin, $725.00 in U.S. Currency, an additional One Hundred and Twenty (122) sleeves containing heroin packaged for street level sale, a large quantity of empty wax paper and clear plastic sleeves, a grinder, digital scale, ink pad and stamp an iron, and several other packaging tools.  Arrested were:  Juan Perez, DOB 9-06-68, of 530 Park Street, charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS Withing 1,500 feet of a School, Operating a Drug Factory, and Risk of Injury to a Minor; Irma Ramos, DOB 1-5-62, of 530 Park Street, charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS, PWITS Within 1,500 feet of a School, Operating a Drug Factory, and Risk of Injury to a Minor; Michael Nieves, DOB 3-9-80, of 8 Marshall Street, charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS, and Operating a Drug Factory;  Richard Fernandez, DOB 7-23-74, of 20 Marion Street, Bristol, charged with Possession of Narcotics and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; and Samuel Pacheco, DOB 12-24-87, of 95A Van Block Avenue, who was charged with Interfering with Police and served with an outstanding Felony Arrest Warrant.  In commenting on the raid, Sergeant Neville A. Brooks, Supervisor of the HPD Narcotics Unit, stated, "This was exemplary work done by Detectives Allen, Craballo and Santiago.  Although the accused were actively packaging their contraband at the time of the raid, the speed and agility exhibited by these Detectives enabled them to catch the criminals in a state of suspended animation, resulting in the closure of a flourishing drug factory."

On Wednesday, February 4, 2004,  a Search and Seizure Warrant was executed by Vice and Narcotics Detectives at 86 Earle Street, First Floor.  As a result of the warrant, Detectives seized 12 grams of crack cocaine, 13 bags of marijuana, and $1,047.00 in U.S. Currency.  Arrested were Kenneth Martin, DOB of 1-20-70, of 35 Owen Street, Hartford, charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS of Narcotics, PWITS of Narcotics within 1,500 feet of a School, Possession of a Controlled Substance, PWITS of a Controlled Substance within 1,500 feet of a School, and Interfering with Police; Tara Seymore, DOB 8-24-71, of 86 Earle Street, charged with Interfering with Police and Failure to Appear; Ellsworth Robertson, DOB 9-25-80, of 209 Barbour Street, charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS of Narcotics, and PWITS within 1,500 of a School; and Kemoe Prather, DOB 8-30-73, of 78 Grand Avenue, Rockville, charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS Narcotics , and PWITS within 1,500 feet of a School.

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