NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 25, 2004
 

Hartford Police Continues Crack Down on Large/Mid-Level Drug Dealers and Out of Town Buyers.

(Hartford) - On March 24, 2004, in three separate investigations based on information received from residents, Hartford Police continued its crack down on large and mid-level drug dealers and out-of-town buyers.  As a result of the operations, 27 arrests were made, 215 bags of heroin, 1 bag of marijuana, two ounces of crack-cocaine, and a stolen Colt Mark IV 1911 Commander, fully loaded, were seized.  Hot Spots targeted included 102 Brook Street, 381 Garden Street, and 442 Franklin Avenue.  Drug buyers were arrested from the following towns of Bristol, East Hartford, Rockville, Manchester, Ansonia, Coventry, Wethersfield, Mystic, East Hampton, Enfield and Vernon.

102 Brook Street.  Approximately 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, March 24, 2004, based on information from the north end community identifying 102 Brook Street as a "Hot Spot", HPD Vice and Narcotics Detectives conducted a "Reverse Sting" operation at the 102 Brook Street.  This operations was an attempt to deter and arrest individuals from outside of the city of Hartford who continue to come to the city and engage in illegal narcotics activity.  Detectives posed as drug dealers and in a short period of time were approached by twenty four (24)  individuals who wanted to purchase heroin or cocaine.  These individuals were arrested and charged with Criminal Attempt to Purchase Narcotics.  View names and address of those arrested.

381 Garden Street.  On March 24, 2004, as a result of a long term investigation into large scale crack-cocaine and marijuana distribution throughout the city of Hartford, the Vice and Narcotics Division, in conjunction with the Hartford DEA Task Force, arrested Courtney Hawkins, DOB 8-7-80, of 32 Baltimore Street, Hartford, and James Brown, DOB 7-20-80, also of 32 Baltimore Street, Hartford.  Both were charged with Possession of Narcotics With Intent to Sell (PWITS), PWITS Within 1,500' of a School, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Within 1,500' of a School.  Also, seized during the operation was two (2) ounces of crack-cocaine, one-half pound of marijuana, and a stolen Colt Mark IV 1911 Commander, fully loaded.

442 Franklin Avenue.  As a result of an on-going investigation of mid-level narcotics dealing in the Wethersfield and Franklin Avenues area of the city, Vice and Narcotics Detectives arrested Samuel Rodriquez, DOB 8-20-75, of 150 Madison Street, Hartford, during a raid of 442 Franklin Avenue, an identified Hot Spot based on information from Hartford residents of illegal drug activity at the address.  Seized during the operation were 215 bags of heroin, one bag of marijuana, and $231.00 in U.S. Currency.  Rodriquez was charged with Possession of Narcotics, PWITS of Narcotics, Possession of Narcotics in a School Zone, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance, Possession of Stolen Plates, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Misuse of a Motor Vehicle Plate, and Interfering with Police.

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