Byram Couple Is Busted on Drug Charges After Police Seize Nearly a Pound of Pot

A Byram couple is facing numerous drug charges after Greenwich Police investigated “multiple complaints” about drug activity in the New Lebanon School neighborhood.

Narcotics Division investigators executed a search warrant for the second-floor apartment of 35 Church St. West late Feb. 13 and arrested the couple who had a seven-week-old baby and a five-year-old inside the apartment, according to a police report.

It was about 10:45 p.m. Friday when officers entered the apartment. “Upon entering the apartment, investigators were immediately overcome with the distinct and overwhelming odor of fresh and burned marijuana emanating from within the dwelling,” according to the report. The infant was found sleeping in a baby swing in the kitchen and the five-year-old sleeping in a bedroom. Police said it was unavoidable given the 500-square-foot size of the apartment for anyone not to be exposed to the smell of the marijuana.

Police seized “just under one pound” of packaged marijuana, an unspecified amount of cash, packaging materials, scales and “numerous articles of marijuana smoking material,” according to the police report.

Christopher Hughes, 28, of 35 Church St. W., was charged with possession of more than four ounces of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell under 1 kilogram, possession of marijuana over four ounces within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a drug factory and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.

Erika Rippel, 26, also of the Church Street address, was charged with possession of more than four ounces of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana over four ounces within 1,500 feet of a school and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.

The couple’s apartment is 912 feet from the New Lebanon School on Mead Avenue.

Police credited residents for providing information that led to the investigation. “The assistance provided by the residents of the community by providing anonymous tips and information was essential to the safe and successful conclusion of this investigation. The information received, provided detectives with the ability to pinpoint times and locations of the activity resulting in these arrests,” police said in a statement.

Police also contacted the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.

Both Hughes and Rippel were released on written promises to appear Feb. 23 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

Photo: Christopher Hughes. Credit: Greenwich Police Department.

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