Danbury police arrest suspect on drug charges — again

DANBURY — A Waterbury man has been arrested — the third time in less than a year onarcotics distribution charges — after police say he was caught selling drugs out of his car.

Ramell “Mel” Crawford, of Morningside Avenue in Waterbury, has been charged possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of controlled substance with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of a school, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and interfering with an officer.

He was taken into custody on Wednesday, according to Detective Lt. Mark Williams.

Investigators set up surveillance of areas in Danbury that Crawford was known to frequent, Williams said. By late afternoon, Crawford was spotted driving in the city and investigators followed him to an apartment building parking lot, Williams said.

When investigators tried to execute the search-and-seizure warrants, Williams said Crawford tried to run away before being apprehended.

Williams said law enforcement found “a substantial amount” of heroin packaged for sale, money, a portable scale and several grams of crack cocaine in the car.

The latest investigation into Crawford started when police received several complaints that he was selling drugs from his car, Williams said.

“This was no surprise to police investigators because they arrested him (Crawford) weeks earlier and charged him with drug- and weapons-related offenses,” Williams said.

“Records indicate that (Wednesday’s) arrest is his third drug trafficking arrest, two including weaponsrelated violations, in less than a year.”

Crawford was held on $300,000 bond.