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Drug Sweep Nets 18 Arrests

Police Serve Dozens Of Warrants In Multitown Sweep

POSTED: 4:56 pm EDT May 15, 2008
UPDATED: 5:28 pm EDT May 15, 2008

Dozens of arrest warrants were served and 18 people were arrested in connection with a multitown drug sweep, police said.

Police said the sweep was conducted by the East Central Narcotics Task Force and targeted street-level drug dealers in Manchester, South Windsor and Glastonbury.

Police said the sweep was an undercover operation.

Members of the task force seized marijuana, crack cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs, three vehicles and $5,353 during the operation, according to police.

Arrested During Sweep:

  • Willie Askew, 40, of Manchester, was served two felony warrants, charging him with the sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine with 1,500 feet of a school and possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school.
  • James Gamble, 42, of Manchester, was charged with sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine with 1500 feet of a school and possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school.
  • Kayohn Taylor, 26, of Hartford, was charged with sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in South Windsor, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of school, and possession of crack cocaine within 1500' of School.
  • Joshua Easterling, 21, of Vernon, was charged with sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in Manchester, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500' feet of school, and possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school.
  • Carlos River, 40, of Hartford, was charged with sale of marijuana to an undercover officer in Manchester, possession of marijuana, sale of marijuana within 1,500 feet of school, and possession of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a school.
  • Felix Rodriguez, 19, Hartford, was charged with sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in Glastonbury, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, and possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 of a school.
  • Bryce Poirer, 22, of Canton, was charged with conspiracy to possess heroin. Police said he and another man were waiting for Rodriguez, who was supposed to sell them heroin after he met with the undercover officer.
  • Joseph Demonstranti, 30, was charged with conspiracy to possess heroin. Police said he and Poier were waiting for Rodriguez, who was supposed to sell them heroin after he met with the undercover officer.
  • Justin Powell, 26, of Manchester, was charged with sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in Manchester, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, and possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 of a school.
  • Sanchell Hayes, 25, of Willimantic, was charged with sale and conspiracy to sell narcotics to an undercover officer in Manchester, possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school and sale of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school.
  • Lance Walker, 42, of Willimantic, was charged with sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in Manchester, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, and possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 of a school.
  • Darryl Crump, 24, of Hartford, was charged with sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in Manchester, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, and possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 of a school. Police said that when officers attempted to serve a warrant on Crump, he fled and engaged in a struggle with officers.
  • Robert Smith, 25, of Hartford, was charged with sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in Manchester, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 of a school, possession of marijuana and interfering.
  • Matthew Lavado, 25, of Glastonbury, was charged with seven active arrest warrants for failure to appear in court.
  • Venus Smith, 25, was charged with sale of sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in Manchester, possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school and possession of crack cocaine within 1,500 of a school. Police said there were also two active warrants for Smith's arrest for failure to appear and violation of probation.
  • Marcus Setzer, 25, of Granby, was charged with conspiracy to possess crack cocaine, conspiracy to sell crack cocaine, conspiracy to possess crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana and interfering, resisting arrest.

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