2 Bridgeport Men Arrested On Narcotics Charges In Westport: Police

WESTPORT, CT — Two Bridgeport men have been identified as the suspects arrested Wednesday on narcotics charges following a traffic stop on the Sherwood Island Connector in Westport, according to authorities.

John Verner, 30, was named as the driver of the vehicle, and Tyrone Wilkes, 33, was ID'd as the passenger, who Westport police said tried to run away before being caught.

Their names were not released Wednesday, because police were trying to find out who they were, authorities said.

Verner was charged with:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Interfering With an Officer
• Criminal Impersonation
• Misuse of a License Plate
• Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance
• Illegal Tinting
• Operating Without a License

He was released after posting bond on bail of $75,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned in Stamford Superior Court on Sept. 14.

Wilkes was charged with:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell
• Illegal Operation of a Drug Factory
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Tampering With Evidence
• Assault on a Public Safety Officer
• Interfering With an Officer

He was released after posting bond on bail of $51,000, and he is also scheduled to appear in court on the 14th. Two other people were in the vehicle, but they were not charged in connection with the Westport case; one of those passengers was arrested on separate warrants from another jurisdiction.

Wednesday's incident occurred at about 9:40 a.m. when Verner was pulled over for a traffic violation, police said.

Wilkes tried to run and was apprehended after a brief struggle, according to police.

During the arrest, police seized crack and cocaine, both of which had been laced with fentanyl, authorities said.