Western Middle School worker charged as cocaine dealer
GREENWICH — A local man who works as a professional assistant at Western Middle School in Greenwich was busted on multiple drug charges late Monday afternoon, police said.
Officers seized 20 grams of cocaine and more than $7,000 during a raid on the home of Ahmed I. Sambo, 42, who police described as a suspected drug dealer.
Sambo was hit with a number of criminal charges after a search warrant was executed at his residence in Armstrong Court, police said. Officers found a range of paraphernalia used to hide drugs, such as hollowedout books and “safe-stash” soda cans. Materials used to package drugs for sale — a digital scale and plastic bags — were also found, according to court documents.
A golf ball-sized rock of
cocaine was seized, the court documents stated.
Sambo was charged with operating a drug factory, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, illegal possession of narcotics and drug possession within 1,500 feet of day-care facility. He was also cited for marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sambo has been placed on paid administrative leave from his job, according to a statement from the school district.
Police “received information regarding a subject allegedly selling cocaine in the town of Greenwich,” said a statement from the department.
According to court filings, police said Sambo was active in selling drugs at “locations throughout town, including the Greenwich Avenue area and from his residence at Armstrong Court.”
Police carried out two undercover buys with Sambo, according to the arrest warrant application, which were made in his car, a 2011 Ford Fusion.
The investigation culminated with a search warrant issued for Sambo, his residence and his car.
Officers found four grams of cocaine in Sambo’s pants pockets, in a eight small bags, when he was apprehended, police said. Another stash of cocaine, 14 grams, was found in his residence, and police also confiscated $7,276 in cash, the arrest report stated.
A state police dog also took part in the seizure Monday afternoon. The Ford was towed to the police station after Sambo was arrested.
Sambo was “visibly emotional” and said, “Oh my God ... I knew this was going to happen” when apprehended, the court documents stated.
He was later released on $50,000 bail and will appear next in Stamford Superior Court on April 1.
A professional assistant works with teachers and students, providing extra support in classrooms to students with special needs, according to the Greenwich Public Schools. Sambo is assigned to the Special Education Department at Western.
“Mr. Ahmed Sambo is a professional assistant at Western Middle School,” said a statement released Tuesday by Greenwich schools spokesman Kim Eves. “He has been placed on administrative leave with pay and without prejudice pending the outcome of a Greenwich Police Department investigation as well as an internal investigation.
“The facts as they are known to date and shared with us by the Greenwich Police Department do not indicate that any of the alleged activities for which Mr. Sambo has been charged occurred in or around Western Middle School or involved WMS students or staff.”
According to drug-addiction recovery organizations, cocaine prices are in the range of $120 per gram.