Darien Resident Charged In Drug Trafficking Operation: Feds

DARIEN, CT — Following a lengthy investigation, 11 people, including a Darien resident, have been arrested in connection with drug trafficking and firearm offenses in Southwestern Connecticut, according to federal prosecutors.

"These arrests and the partnership that led to such a large undertaking will certainly have ramifications and results here in our portion of the state. This was really a heavy lift and a credit to all who worked on it," Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin told Patch Tuesday afternoon.

The 11 arrestees are:

• Christopher Adams, 57, of Norwalk
• Jimmy Arce, aka “Boe,” “Slim,” and “Jimbo,” 40, of Bridgeport
• Ramion Baker, aka “Ray Ray,” 43, of Stamford
• Willi Bazelais, 30, of Stamford
• Rodney Canada, aka “Supreme,” 47, of Stamford
• Gerald Coley, aka “G Rock,” 54, of Bridgeport
• Benjamin Dozier, aka “Ace” and “Blanco, 42, of Bridgeport
• Gavin Hammett, aka “G” and “Silk,” 59, of Bridgeport
• Omar Parra, aka “D” and “Dee,” 37, of Stamford
• Danny Turkvan, aka “Smooth” 53, of Stamford
• Terrell Willis, aka “Black Fred,” 50, of Darien

"As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Stamford Police Department identified Canada as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Stamford and elsewhere in southwestern Connecticut," said Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, in a joint news release with the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and the Stamford Police Department.

Avery noted that the investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of drugs, found that Willis and Baker helped Canada coordinate the street-level distribution of drugs through Coley, Dozier, Turkvan and others.

Canada also sold bulk quantities of cocaine to Bazelais and Adams for further distribution, Avery said, adding that Hammett is believed to have served "as a source of supply" for the Canada drug trafficking organization, and Arce was a criminal associate of Canada who supplied Parra with fentanyl, cocaine, and crack.

On May 14, the defendants, except for Parra, were arrested on federal criminal complaints, and additional individuals were arrested on state charges, Avery said.

On that date, investigators conducted court-authorized searches at locations in Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and Darien and seized approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine, nearly 400 grams of raw fentanyl, more than 500 bags of fentanyl, five firearms, a bulletproof vest, and seven vehicles, according to Avery.

Parra has been detained in federal custody since March 19 when he was arrested on a complaint.

On May 22, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned three separate indictments charging the 11 defendants.

In one indictment, Canada, Wills, Baker, Bazelais, Adams, Coley, Dozier, and Turkvan are charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, Avery said.

The indictment also charges Adams and Baker with possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Baker and Dozier with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon; and Baker with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Avery said.

The second indictment charges Hammett with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a quantity of fentanyl; unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to Avery.

The third indictment charges Arce and Parra with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and a quantity of heroin, Avery said.

In addition, Arce is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and Parra is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

All of the defendants are currently detained.

"Many of these suspects have extensive, very lengthy criminal histories with heavy narcotics backgrounds," Conklin told Patch.

Avery said in a news release that CT is committed to using federal law enforcement resources "to curb the flow of deadly narcotics in southwestern Connecticut and throughout our state."

"Because firearms are typically involved with illegal drug distribution, this creates a heightened concern. We enhance our efforts when individuals who have already been involved in the federal justice system choose to continue criminal activity when they reenter the community," Avery added. "I thank the DEA Task Force, Stamford Police Department, and all of the agencies that have assisted this investigation. Their work is making Connecticut safer."

DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen P. Belleau said "illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities here in Connecticut."

"Let these arrests and seizures serve as an example to those who distribute poisons like fentanyl, heroin, crack-cocaine, and cocaine, that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable," Belleau said. "This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners here in Connecticut and our solid relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office."

Avery stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the HIDTA Task Force, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Danbury, and Darien Police Departments.

The DEA HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments.