WATERFORD MAN CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE DRUG-RELATED CRIMES

was arrested and charged with operating a drug factory out of his home.

Waterford — A Waterford man was charged with operating a drug factory and multiple other drug-related activities, following a search of his home in January, according to a sworn affidavit from a Waterford police officer.

Ronald Saunders, 37, has been charged with operating a drug factory, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, risk of injury to a minor and driving with a suspended license.

Police said Saunders was in possession of MDMA, Suboxone, Buprenorphine and Naloxone.

A Superior Court judge signed the arrest warrant on July 10 and set bail at $75,000.

According to the affidavit, Waterford police officers executed a search and seizure warrant on Jan. 10 at Saunders’ 20 Pine St. home.

In searching the kitchen, officers found a knotted plastic bag containing MDMA, plastic sandwich bags, wax paper, a Krup electric grinder, Brillo, a glass pipe with burnt residue and Brillo stuffed in one end, and cut straws containing powder-like residue.

Drug manufacturers often use wax paper for cutting drugs, Officer Richard Avdevich said in his affidavit, while crack cocaine users stuff Brillo into glass pipes.

A search of the bedroom turned up nine Suboxone strips, and 12 Buprenorphine & Naloxone tablets.

Suboxone and Buprenorphine & Naloxone are narcotics used to treat opioid addiction, and they’re illegal to have without a prescription. Neither Saunders nor his wife have prescriptions, the affidavit stated.

Also in the bedroom, police found some of the same drug paraphernalia found in the kitchen, along with plastic sandwich bag corners containing powder-like residue, which later tested positive for cocaine and heroin.

According to the affidavit, Saunders has a history of driving under the influence arrests in Connecticut, and his license was suspended as of Dec. 9, 2016.