Greenwich police detective honored for investigation of fatal overdose
GREENWICH — A police narcotics investigator earned honors for his work in tracking down an alleged drug dealer who was responsible for a fatal drug overdose this past summer, according to the Greenwich Police Department.
Detective Frederick Quezada was named “officer of the month” by the Greenwich Police Department for
November.
A local resident died of a narcotics overdose in late July, and Quezada was assigned to the case, according to the police department.
“This investigation led to the identification of the drug dealer who supplied the victim with the drugs,” according to the award citation. “An arrest warrant was applied for and signed for manslaughter in the second degree. On November 25, 2020, the drug dealer was apprehended in New York and waived extradition to Connecticut to face charges.”
The suspect was not identified and has not been arraigned, according to police.
Quezada worked with state prosecutors and helped share law-enforcement methods and strategies, police said.
“Detective Quezada prepared a presentation detailing the methods used in the investigation,” the citation said.
“Not only was this a successful outcome, but the Stamford Superior Court Assistant State’s Attorney has recommended to all Superior Courts that the methods and processes used by Detective Quezada and the Greenwich Police Narcotics Section be adopted as a model to prosecute drug dealers in overdose deaths,” the department stated.
Drug dealers who are involved in fatal overdoses are subject to manslaughter charges, according to the courts. A felony, first-degree manslaughter carries a
penalty of one to 20 years behind bars, and seconddegree manslaughter carries a minimum sentence of one to three years in prison
and a maximum of five to 15 years.