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STATE OF CONNECTICUT Department of Public Safety 1111 Country Club Road Middletown, Connecticut 06457 |
Contact:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
02/29/08
UPDATE
STATE POLICE STATEWIDE NARCOTICS TASK FORCE
CONCLUDE 6 MONTH INVESTGIATION
WITH SEVERAL NARCOTICS ARREST
The State Police Statewide Narcotic Task Force a unit made up of State troopers and Local Police Officers were assisted by the Clinton Police Department,
This was a six-month long undercover investigation that utilized undercover Detectives from the State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force who were able to determine that there was a large organized group of individuals who were selling illegal narcotics including Cocaine, Ecstasy pills, and Marijuana in the shoreline area. This group of suspects sold their narcotics in Clinton and Westbrook and also around a bar located on Boston Post Rd.in Westbrook, CT.
Over this extended period of time the Undercover Narcotics Detectives were able to infiltrate this group and make over many undercover purchases of narcotics from this drug trafficking group. Most of these narcotic purchases were significant amounts of Cocaine and Ecstasy pills. During this investigation the undercover detectives also witnessed numerous drug transactions in the local bar. Undercover officers were able to purchase narcotics from several different members of this group on several different occasions throughout this undercover covert investigation. The suspects during this investigation insinuated that they were members of a gang.
This group used intimidation and violence that resulted in additional criminal charges being filed as a result of a January 5th fight in which three members of this group beat a patron unconscious at a local bar. The patron was taken to the hospital via an ambulance to a local hospital in serious condition. Witnesses to the assault provided Law Enforcement with facts and details of the assault. This information assisted police in the investigation and resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for this incident.
On Thursday February 28, 2008 the State Police Statewide Narcotic Task Force, the Clinton Police Department, the Westbrook Resident Trooper’s Office, and Troopers from State Police Troop F Westbrook concluded this six month investigation with the execution of two search and seizure warrants and the execution of several arrest warrants arrests that were obtained from court during this investigation.
The last accused (#11) WALTON was located and taken into custody by State Police on 02/29/08 at approximately 9:30 am in Westbrook.
The following is a list of the accused who were arrested as a result of this 6 month long investigation
ARRESTED:
1) Nelson Diaz 04/30/80
Charges:
Sale of Narcotics within 1500 ft. of School 21a- 278a(b) (1 count)
Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53a-48/21a-278b (4 counts)
Possession of narcotics
Possession with intent ot sell narcotics
Bond: $300,000
2) Michael Panico 01/02/86
Charges:
Sale of Narcotics within 1500 ft. of School 21a-278a(b) (7 counts)
Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53a-48/21a-278b (2 counts)
Possession of narcotics
Possession with intent to sell narcotics
Bond: $310,000
3) Augustine Panico 11/21/82
Charges:
Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53a-48/21a-278b (5 counts)
Bond: $200,000
4) Patrick Massey 07/25/67
Charges:
5) Chance Grady 02/07/81
Charges:
Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53-48/21a-278(b) (3 counts)
6) Chelsea Rawlings 02/23/89
4 Captains Walk,
Charges:
7) Eric Stone 05/27/88
4R Meadow Estates,
Charges: Assault in the first degree 53a-59
Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53a-48/21a-278(b) (2 counts)
8) Matthew Morrell 09/02/86
Charges: Assault in the first degree 53a-59
Sale of Narcotics 21a-278(b) (2 counts)
Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53-48/21a-278(b) (2 counts)
9) Joseph Panico 3/31/79
CHARGES: Possession with intent to sell
Possession with intent ot sell over ½ oz cocaine
Posession within 1500 feet of school
BOND $100,000
10) Jason Melendez 02/19/85
4R Meadow Estates,
Charges: Assault in the third degree 53a-61
Fugitive from Justice
Bond: $500,000
11) Samuel Walton 2/23/83
CHARGES:
Conspiracy to Sell Narcotics (2cts)
Arrested today 02/29/08 being processed at Troop-F to
appear GA #9
During this undercover investigation Narcotics Detectives seized and/or purchased over $23,000 in street value narcotics
All of the accused were processed and held on bond. They will be transported to appear in
The Statewide Narcotics Task Force will continue their investigation into narcotics trafficking not only in the shoreline communities but statewide.
The Statewide Narcotics Task Force has numerous narcotics investigative teams that are Supervised by the Connecticut State Police. Each Narcotics Task Force Team is made up of Connecticut State Troopers and Local Police Officers who are assigned to work full time together investigating narcotics cases across Connecticut.
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Lt. J. Paul Vance