162 Grams Of Crack & Powered Cocaine Seized In Bridgeport: Police

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Two suspected drug dealers were arrested by Bridgeport police last week, following a raid where police seized 162 grams of crack and powdered cocaine, fentanyl and cash, according to authorities.

The raid occurred on Friday, and came after two months of investigation based on "information that a narcotics dealer referred to as 'Joker' was selling crack cocaine out of a residence within the 700 block of Hallett Street," wrote Bridgeport Police Captain Kevin Gilleran in a statement.

The suspected crack dealer was determined to be 52-year-old Pedro "Joker" Ortiz of Bridgeport, and Narcotics and Vice Detectives also discovered that Ortiz had an associate who would resupply the Hallett Street operation.

Ortiz was stopped outside the residence on Friday while police searched inside, and when drugs were found on Ortiz, he was immediately placed under arrest.

"Upon the execution of the Hallett Street search warrant, Narcotics Officers were meet with interference by a male occupant identified as 50-year-old Morris 'Moe' Moore of Bridgeport," Gilleran wrote. "Moore opened the door and then immediately closed it on the Officers attempting to perform the requirements of the search warrant. Officers were able to gain entry by pushing the door open before Moore could lock it. Moore was placed under arrest for interfering with the lawful execution of a search and seizure warrant. During a search of Moore’s person, incident to arrest, he was found to be in possession of a large quantity of crack cocaine."

In total, police seized 157.2 grams of crack cocaine, 4.8 grams of powdered cocaine, a small amount of fentanyl, and ammunition, according to Gilleran.

Both Ortiz and Moore are convicted felons and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Moore was charged with:

• Operation of a Drug Factory
• Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell
• Criminal Possession of Ammunition
• Interfering with a Search Warrant

He was released after posting bond on bail of $150,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on July 14.

Ortiz was charged with:

• Operation of a Drug Factory
• Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell
• Criminal Possession of Ammunition

He was held in lieu of bail of $125,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.