NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Friday, May 14, 2004
 

HARTFORD POLICE "HOT SPOT" ENFORCEMENT NETS 23 ARRESTS.

(Hartford) - In its continuing campaign of "Hot Spot" enforcement, based on community intelligence and complaints, Hartford Police conducted a reverse sting operation and four illegal narcotics investigations at five (5) Hot Spot locations throughout the city this week, resulting in twenty-three (23) arrests, and the seizure of various amounts of crack cocaine, heroin and U.S. Currency.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Vice and Narcotics Detectives conducted an investigation into a complaint of illegal narcotics activity in the 1600 block of Park Street.  The location, based on community complaints, is a known for its open air drug sales and has been the location of previous Vice and Narcotics reverse sting operations.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of four (4) individuals, the seizure of a knotted plastic bag containing powder cocaine and $321.00 in U.S. Currency.  Arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Narcotics, and PWITS (Possession With Intent To Sell) Within 1,500 feet of a School was Davit Guilbez, DOB 06/26/76, of 30 Gillett Street, Hartford; John Searight, DOB 5/21/73, of 53 Webster Street, charged with Criminal Attempt to Possess Narcotics; Julio Montes, DOB 11/14/83, of NCA (No Certain Address), charged with Criminal Attempt to Possess Narcotics; and Juan Ortiz, DOB 08/09/66, of 255 Poquonock Avenue, Windsor, charged with Criminal Attempt to Possess Narcotics and Interfering With Police.   NOTE:  An NCIC check revealed an outstanding arrest warrant on file for Julio Montes, charging him with Failure to Appear in the First Degree, Threatening in the Second Degree, Breach of the Peace in the Second Degree, Possession of Narcotics, and Possession of Narcotics Within 1,500 feet of a School.

Also on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Vice and Narcotics conducted an investigation based on community complaints into illegal narcotics activity in the area of 204 South Marshall Street, a location identified as a "Hot Spot" in the Asylum Hill sector of the city.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Tenisha Payne, DOB 05/16/78, of 41 Gillette Street, West Hartford, and the seizure of a knotted plastic bag containing crack cocaine and a small denomination of U.S. Currency.   Payne was charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS and PWITS Within 1,500 feet of a School.

At 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, Vice and Narcotics Detectives conducted an investigation of illegal narcotics activity near the corner of Park and Hungerford Streets, a location, based on numerous community complainants and intelligence, identified as a "Hot Spot" in the Frog Hollow area of the city.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Fidel Pena, DOB 04/09/49, of 540 Park Street, and the seizure of nine (9) bags of heroin and a small denomination of U.S. Currency.  Pena was charged by Hartford Police with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS, and PWITS Within 1,500 feet of a School.

In its fourth (4th) operation of the day, at approximately 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, Vice and Narcotics Detectives, acting on information from the community of illegal narcotics activity near the corner of Mather and Enfield Streets, a location in close proximity to an identified Hot Spot in the Clay Arsenal sector of the city, arrested Benjamin Brown, DOB 04/21/60, of 228-230 Mather Street and seized a knotted plastic bag containing numerous pieces of crack cocaine and a small denomination of U.S. Currency.  Brown was charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS, and PWITS Within 1,500 feet of a School.

On Thursday, May 13, 2004, the HPD Vice and Narcotics Division conducted a reverse sting operation in the area of 102 Brook Street, an area designated a "Hot Spot" by community groups and a Project Safe Neighborhoods target location.  Detectives posing as drug dealers were approached by individuals seeking to purchase narcotics.  Sixteen individuals, charged with various drug charges, were arrested as a result of the operation.  This is the fifth (5) reverse sting operation in this area.  Click here for a listing of arrestees, their charges and addresses.

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
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