Danbury Woman Arrested for Illegal Alcohol and Cig Sales: Police

DANBURY, CT --- A Danbury woman was arrested on April 6, 2018, for a variety of criminal offenses associated with illegal alcohol and cigarette sales, the Danbury Police reported.

For several months prior to the arrest, members of the Patrol Division detected that 27 Foster Street was generating a substantial amount of foot traffic. Further investigation revealed that the foot traffic was the result of the resident, Vera Ribeiro-Menezes, illegally selling alcohol and cigarettes from her residence. Patrons were buying single containers of beer for $3, assorted alcohol (nips) for $2 and individual cigarettes for $1. The police named the investigation “Operation 3-2-1.”

Based on the officer observations and other investigative techniques, a search and seizure warrant was issued. At approximately 1 p.m., on April 6th, members of the Patrol Division, the Community Conditions Unit and Special Investigations Division established a surveillance of Ribeiro-Menezes and her residence. During that time, several people were witnessed walking to the back of the house, consistent with past illegal alcohol and cigarette sales. In addition to Ribeiro-Menezes, a young toddler was seen in the residence.

At approximately 2 p.m. officers approached the residence and made visual contact with Ribeiro-Menezes, who was asked to open the door. Instead of doing so, she retreated to an unknown room, which caused officers to force entry. It was later determined that she was attempting to destroy evidence. When the search of the residence was completed, “Operation 3-2-1” seized nearly $12,000 cash, 861 cans of beer, 2,251 nips and 5,563 cigarettes. The street value of the contraband equaled more than $12,000.

Ribeiro-Menezes was subsequently arrested and transported to the police department where she was processed for the listed offenses and later released for a written promise to appear in court at a later date and time.