HARTFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS ADVISORY
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, October 23, 2003, 2:30 p.m.HPD Narcotics Unit Makes 11 Arrests at Albany Avenue and Center Street over two days.
(Hartford) – Based on numerous citizen complaints of narcotic activity involving school children, including intelligence from the organization “Men of Color” whom provide safe escorts to school children and the Hartford Public School system, the HPD Narcotics Unit over a two-day surveillance operation has made 11 arrests, effectively shutting down illegal drug activity in the area.
On Tuesday, October 21, 2003, at approximately 5 a.m. Detectives of the Vice and Narcotics Division conducted an investigation into narcotic sales in the Albany Avenue and Center Street area. This investigation resulting in nine arrests, three of which were people purchasing narcotics and six people involved in the actual sale and distribution of narcotics. Detectives seized $311.00 in U.S. Currency, 29 bags of heroin and 24 bags of marijuana.
On Thursday, October 23, 2002, at approximately 6:00 a.m., HPD Narcotics Detectives conducted a follow-up investigation into the same area. The follow-up investigation resulted in an additional two arrests.
A total of eleven (11) arrests were made and two warrants served throughout the two-day operation. No school children were involved in the drug dealing. The individuals arrested in the Tuesday operation were the apparent core of the narcotic problem in that area and are still in jail as of the issuance of this release.
In commenting on the investigation and its results, Lieutenant Harold Even, HPD Vice and Narcotics Commander, stated, “When organizations such as Men of Color identify hot spots of illegal activity and get that information to us, we can respond quickly and as in this case, effectively shut down illegal drug trafficking. This investigation is a textbook example of how community partnerships help police in fighting crime and improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”
The following are the individuals and dates of arrest and their charges:
Arrested Tuesday, October 21, 2003:
Charles Belcher, DOB 12-24-65 of 8 Center Street, Hartford. Charged with
Possession of Narcotics, Possession with Intent to Sell (PWITS) Narcotics,
Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell within 1,500’ of a School,
Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Controlled Substance
with Intent to Sell.
Richard Allen, DOB 1-3-65, 713 Garden Street, Hartford. Charged with Sale
of Narcotics, Possession of Narcotics and Possession with Intent to Sell
Narcotics within 1,500’ of a School.
Joseph Hughens, DOB 8-31-72, 8 Center Street, Hartford. Charged with Sale
of Narcotics, Possession of Narcotics and Possession with Intent to Sell
Narcotics within 1,500’ of a School.
Hector Gonzalez, DOB 9-8-56, 8 Center Street, Hartford. Charged with
Conspiracy/Sale of narcotics, and Possession with Intent to Sell narcotics
within 1,500’ of a School. (Also had an in-house warrant for Failure to
Appear 2nd Degree, and Criminal Trespass in the 3rd Degree.
Carmen Roman, DOB 7-20-65, 8 Center Street, Hartford. Charged with
Conspiracy/Sale of Narcotics, and Possession with Intent to Sell Narcotics
within 1,500’ of a School.
Ivan Baez, DOB 1-13-73, 97 Wells Street, Manchester, Connecticut. Charged
with Possession of Narcotics.
Diane Green, DOB 1-21-55, 177 Edgewood Street, Hartford. Charged with
Possession of Narcotics.
Donald Edwards, DOB 2-7-48, 860 Main Street, East Hartford, Connecticut.
Charged with Criminal Attempt to Possess Narcotics.
Sandria Palmer, DOB 7-21-61, 8 Center Street, Hartford. Arrest Warrant served for charged out of Windsor, Connecticut.
Arrested Thursday, October 23, 2003:
Louis P. Marrone, DOB 11-12-60, of 12 Berkley Avenue, Southington,
Connecticut. Charged with Possession of Narcotics and Possession With Intent
to Sell Narcotics within 1,500’ of a School.
Chad Papineau, DOB 7-31-73, of 33 Hulbert Road, Tolland, Connecticut. Charged with Possession of Narcotics, Possession With Intent to Sell Narcotics within 1,500’ of a School and Interfering with Police.
The Hartford Police Department extends its thanks and appreciation to members of the community, the Men of Color, and the Hartford Public School System for their cooperation in this investigation.
End.