Newest Enfield Police Dog Pays Dividends On Opening Night

ENFIELD, CT — On his first shift of patrol duty, the newest four-legged member of the Enfield Police Department made an immediate impact Monday night.

Around 10:57 p.m., Officer Ryan Bartolucci observed a suspicious motor vehicle, occupied by several people, in Kohl’s Plaza on Elm Street. During an investigation, Bartolucci's canine Britford, a.k.a. Brit, alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, police said.

Multiple wax sleeves of heroin were found inside a cigar box, as were a glass pipe with burn marks, a filter containing crack cocaine residue, 8 mg of suboxone,cut plastic straws, an unlabeled pill bottle and numerous rubber bands, Police Chief Alaric Fox said.

Laurie Patnode, 41, and Dustin Pelletier, 37, both of Enfield, were charged with possession of narcotics and use of drug paraphernalia. They were released on written promises to appear in court, Fox said.

Bartolucci and Brit had just graduated last Friday from the 203rd Connecticut State Police Narcotics Detection K9 Training Troop.