Connecticut State Police Patch STATE OF CONNECTICUT
Department of Public Safety
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, Connecticut 06457
 
Contact: 
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, Westbrook  Resident State Trooper’s Office and State Police Troop-F as they initiated a criminal investigation into narcotic trafficking in the communities along the shoreline The areas specifically in the Clinton/Westbrook area.

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

50 Boone Circle, Westbrook, CT.

Charges:  Sale of Narcotics 21a-278b  (3 counts)

                 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

50 Boone Circle, Westbrook, CT.

Charges:  Sale of Narcotics 21a-278b  (7 counts)

                  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

50 Boone Circle, Westbrook, CT.

Charges: Sale of Narcotics 21a-278b  (5 counts)

                 Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53a-48/21a-278b  (5 counts)

Bond:  $200,000  

4)     Patrick Massey  07/25/67

14-26 Old Mill Rd., Clinton, CT.

Charges:  Sale of Marijuana 21a-277b  (4 counts)

5)     Chance Grady   02/07/81

42 Waterside Lane, Clinton, CT.

Charges:  Sale of Narcotics 21a-278(b)  (3 counts)

                 Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53-48/21a-278(b)  (3 counts)

6)     Chelsea Rawlings   02/23/89

4 Captains Walk, Clinton, CT.

Charges:  Sale of Narcotics 21a-278(b) (3 counts)

7)   Eric Stone   05/27/88

4R Meadow Estates, Clinton, CT.

Charges: Assault in the first degree 53a-59

                 Sale of Narcotics 21a-278b

                Conspiracy to Sale Narcotics 53a-48/21a-278(b)  (2 counts) 

8)     Matthew Morrell   09/02/86

14-14 Old Mill Rd., Clinton, CT.

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

             50 Boone Circle

             Westbrook,Ct.

              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, Clinton, CT.

            Charges:  Assault in the third degree 53a-61

                               Fugitive from Justice

                               Bond:   $500,000

      

       11)  Samuel Walton  2/23/83

               Westbrook,Ct.

               CHARGES:  Sale of Narcotics  (2 cts)

                                     Conspiracy to Sell Narcotics (2cts)

                                     Arrested today 02/29/08 being processed at Troop-F to

                                     appear GA #9 Middletown Bond $150,000

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 Superior Court GA #9 Middletown to be arraigned on these criminal charges.

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                                                                              

Connecticut State Police