Press Releases
07/30/2026
CT Environmental Conservation Police make arrest for possession of venomous snakes
(Hartford, CT) The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) have concluded a lengthy investigation into the illegal possession of venomous snakes. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 49 reptiles and multiple arrests.
On June 24, 2026 the EnCon Police Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Connecticut State Police (CSP) Bureau of Special Investigations, executed a search and seizure warrant of a warehouse at 925 Sherman Avenue in Hamden, CT. As a result of the search warrant execution, the EnCon Police seized 49 reptiles, including 46 venomous snakes, two anacondas, and one water monitor lizard.
The 46 venomous snakes recovered included:
- 2 Arizona Black Rattlesnakes
- 2 Black-tailed Rattlesnakes
- 5 Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes
- 1 Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
- 2 Mottled Rock Rattlesnakes
- 2 Neotropical Rattlesnakes
- 1 Panamint Rattlesnake
- 6 Prairie Rattlesnakes
- 4 Queretaran Dusky Rattlesnakes
- 13 Timber Rattlesnakes
- 2 Uracoan Rattlesnakes
- 2 Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes
- 1 Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Albino)
- 1 Cape Cobra
- 2 Mangrove Pit Vipers
The recovered reptiles are considered dangerous and are prohibited to possess in Connecticut without the proper permits. The reptiles were safely secured and removed by an accredited herpetologist. The illegal snakes were removed from the facility and are being stored at a licensed facility where all the reptiles went through a health screening.
NOTE: Images of the seized animals will be available on the EnCon Police Facebook page.
During the execution of the search and seizure warrant, Tyler Foster, 26, of New Haven was arrested on an unrelated arrest warrant issued by EnCon Police for Criminal Trespass 1st Degree. The warrant was based on Foster’s alleged presence in a prohibited area on August 24, 2025. Foster was released on a promise to appear at CT Superior Court in Manchester with an initial court date of July 8, 2026.
As a result of the search and seizure warrant, subsequent arrest warrants were obtained for the two individuals involved, Tyler Foster and the warehouse owner, Brian Roman, 26, of New Haven, CT.
Arrests
On July 30, 2026 Roman turned himself into CSP Troop I where he was charged and processed for the warrant and was ultimately released on a $5,000 court set bond. Roman was charged with the following:
49 counts of C.G.S. Sec. 26-55*; Illegal Possession of Wild Animal Without Permit and
13 counts of C.G.S.Sec. 26-311; Taking of Endangered or Threatened Species
Foster also turned himself into CSP Troop I where he was processed for the warrant and was ultimately released on a $5,000 court set bond. Foster was charged with the following:
49 counts of C.G.S. Sec. 26-55*; Illegal Possession of Wild Animal Without Permit and
13 counts of C.G.S. Sec. 26-311; Taking of Endangered or Threatened Species
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110