Multi-department effort busts drug operation in Norwich

Norwich — Among the things seized in a multi-department investigation into area drug trafficking was an elaborate surveillance and communication system, state police said Thursday.

Police said the Connecticut State Police Tactical Unit, the Statewide Narcotics Task Force East, the Troop E - Montville Narcotics Suppression Team and the Norwich Police Department on Wednesday worked together to serve two search-and-seizure warrants at 171 Boswell Ave. and 29 Oakridge St.

Inside, detectives said they found and seized 27.4 grams of heroin, 22.4 grams of cocaine, 2.8 grams of crack cocaine packaged for sale, 13 Suboxone strips, 11 transdermal fentanyl patches, 5 ecstasy pills and 47.6 grams of MDMA packaged for sale. Police additionally found the surveillance system, $6,900 in cash and numerous items used for the packaging and processing of narcotics, they said.

Police arrested three people after carrying out the warrants.

Police identified David Matthews, 31, of Norwich as the leader of the drug trafficking organization. They charged him with possession of a hallucinogen, possession of a hallucinogen with intent to sell, four counts of possession of narcotics, four counts of possession of narcotics with intent to sell and operating a drug factory.

Tony Strothers, 38, of Norwich was charged with possession of heroin, possession of crack cocaine and possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell.

Crysta Wydra, 28, of Gales Ferry was charged with possession of crack cocaine and risk of injury to a minor.

Matthews, held on $250,000 bond, was scheduled to appear in Norwich Superior Court on Thursday. Strothers, held on an unspecified bond, also was due in the same court Thursday.

Wydra, released on a $20,000 nonsurety bond, is scheduled to appear in court July 26.