WATERBURY, Conn. (WTIC) – Over 40 suspects have been arrested in the Waterbury area in an attempt to suppress the trafficking of heroin in a planned raid called “Operation: Raw Deal.”
The Vice and Intelligence Division had been aggressively conducting investigations into all identified heroin traffickers within Waterbury in response to an increase in heroin overdoses and heroin related deaths.
During the investigation, 52 suspects were identified and involved in the sale of narcotics, mainly heroin. Vice obtained 92 arrest warrants for all 52 suspects for charges including Safe of Narcotics, Possession in School Zone, Conspiracy Sale of Narcotics and firearms violations.
Friday morning, the arrest phase of the operation began around 5 a.m. Pre-raid surveillance established all the initial target locations and 13 arrest teams began simultaneously serving the search and arrest warrants.
This arrest phase consisted of 135 detectives, offices, agents and investigators from the VICE and Intelligence Division, Criminal Investigation Bureau, Gang Task Force, Street Crime Unit, Emergency Response Team, Patrol Division and investigators from other local and federal law enforcement agencies.
During the Friday morning raids, 41 suspects from the original list of 52 were arrested and an additional nine people on scene on some locations of the operation were arrested for various drug related offenses and other crimes.
Additionally, three more search warrants were granted and served as well.
The evidence seized during the raids includes:
8 ounces of Raw Heroin
Several thousand bags of heroin packaged for sale
Over $15,000 in cash
Two cars
Two handguns (with ammunition)
One rifle
This remains an open and active investigation, as anyone with any information leading to more arrests are encouraged to contact the Waterbury Police Department.
