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Lt. Christopher Baker approached a Ford Focus he had been driving behind after it pulled over suddenly in front of Sacred Heart Church on the city’s west side, Broems said. Sgt. Richard Phelan and K9 officer Cronin were sent to the scene after the occupants gave different stories to Baker, Broems said. Cronin had a "hit" on the vehicle as positive for drugs, he said.
The 350 bags were all marked “True Religion” and sold in $20 increments, for a total value of $7,000, the sergeant said. No cash was seized, and it appeared that the three had just purchased the drugs, he said. The bags were also filled with rice, which is used to absorb moisture and keep the heroin untainted, Broems said.
All three people in the vehicle were charged with possession of narcotics, sale of certain illegal drugs, possession within 1,500 feet of a school, daycare or housing complex and conspiracy, Broems said.
The driver, Alfred Smart, 28, of Bridgeport, who has an extensive history of robbery and narcotics arrests in Connecticut, was also charged with failure to use traffic control signals, police said. He was held on $75,000 bond and taken to court for arraignment Friday, the sergeant said.
The back passenger, Rafael Cruz, 34, has an extensive narcotics history in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, and was also charged with second-degree forgery for originally giving his last name as “Quinones,” Broems said. He was held on $75,000 bond and taken to court for arraignment Friday, the sergeant said.
The front passenger Ariane Rey, 34, of Ansonia, was released on a promise to appear, Broems said.
Baker was patrolling on an operating under the influence detail, a grant program to crack down on drunken driving, when he saw the suspects’ vehicle, the sergeant said.
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