Seven arrested in alleged drug trafficking scheme
Seven people were charged in connection with an alleged drug trafficking scheme after searches of a Waterbury appliance store and two apartments led to finding more than 240 bags of heroin and fentanyl, 16 grams of heroin and nearly $10,000 in cash, according to the Waterbury Police Department.
On Monday, police arrested Carlos Baez and Carol Baez, both of Waterbury, at CB Appliance Repairs and Sales at 350 Baldwin St. following “an extensive narcotics trafficking investigation” by several law enforcement agencies, including the city’s vice and intelligence division, according to police.
Carlos Baez, 40, who owns the appliance store, was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of half an ounce or more of cocaine, operating a drug factory, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, criminal possession of body armor and criminal possession of a firearm or ammunition, according to police.
Investigators searched the appliance store and found a loaded 9mm handgun that had allegedly been thrown out a window by someone inside the business, police said.
They also allegedly found narcotics and drug paraphernalia throughout the store.
While inside the business, investigators encountered four other people who were later charged with various narcotic and firearm-related crimes, police said.
Investigators also searched Carlos Baez’s home on the third floor of a building on Bronson Street, where they allegedly found more than $8,000 in cash, body armor, ammunition, various amounts of narcotics, materials used for drug
packaging and a kilogram press, police said.
Inside Carol Baez’s home on North Elm Street, investigators allegedly found more drug paraphernalia and a loaded 9mm handgun, police said.
Carol Baez, 38, was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of half an ounce or more of cocaine, operating a drug factory, failure to declare a high capacity magazine, three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and illegal sale or transfer of a firearm.
In total, investigators allegedly found 240 bags of heroin and fentanyl, 16.3 grams of raw heroin, 117.8 grams of cocaine, a bulletproof vest, two loaded handguns and nearly $10,000 in connection with the searches, police said.
Emanuel Figueroa, 35, was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of half an ounce or more of cocaine, operating a drug factory, interfering with an officer, tampering with evidence, two counts of failure to declare high capacity magazines, criminal possession of a pistol or revolver, possession of an assault weapon and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.
Jose Pabon was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of half an ounce or more of cocaine, operating a drug factory and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. He was also served an additional warrant while at the police department, police said.
Police also charged Maria Baez, Juan Rivera and Luis Pacheco each with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of half an ounce or more of cocaine, operating a drug factory and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.