Update: More Details Emerge in Arrest of Suspected Tainted Heroin Dealers in Groton

Updated...

GROTON, CT - Members of the Groton Town Police Department and the Groton City Police Department led the investigation into Wednesday's arrest of a pair of alleged heroin dealers with a large supply of tainted drugs, according to officials.

The departments received assistance from The Regional Community Enhancement Task Force which is comprised of Detectives and Officers from southeastern Connecticut; the group was "formed to combat the heroin epidemic in the area and to improve the quality of life for citizens."

Police said that all of the seized heroin "tested positive for the presumptive presence of fentanyl, which has been reported to be the cause of recent overdoses in the region."

According to a release from Groton police, arrested were:

Samuel Miranda-Perez, 21 years old, of 163 Huntington Ave., New London:

Possession of Heroin

Possession of Heroin w/ Intent to sell

He was placed under arrest in Groton Town after an investigation into the sale of tainted heroin, within southeastern Connecticut. Seized during this investigation were numerous bags of heroin packaged for sale, cash, and 1 cellular phone.

Abdiel Rodriguez, 19 years old, of 84 Ledge St., New London:

Possession of Heroin

Possession of Heroin w/ Intent to sell over 1 ounce

Interfering with an Officer

Tampering with Evidence

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

He was placed under arrest at Groton Towers 39 Broad Street Extension Apt A2-12 Groton City, CT after an investigation into the sale of tainted heroin within southeastern Connecticut. Seized during this investigation was over 105 grams of heroin packaged for sale, over $6,000 cash, a digital scale, packaging, and 4 cellular phones.

Photo 1: Samuel Miranda-Perez, left, and Abdiel Rodriguez; Photo 2: Heroin and items seized at the time of their arrests. Photo credit: Groton police

Original story: GROTON, CT - Two New London men were arrested on a host of narcotics charges Wednesday after police found them at a Groton apartment complex with more than 100 grams of tainted packaged heroin.

Arrested at the Groton Towers complex on Broad Street Extension were Abdiel Rodriguez, 19, and Samuel Miranda-Perez, 21. Both were charged with possession of heroin and possession with intent to sell; Rodriguez was additionally charged with tampering with evidence, interfering with an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the 105 grams of packaged heroin, which police said was laced with the potent additive fentanyl, police also seized $6,000 in cash, five cell phones, a digital scale and packaging materials.

The arrests were part of an ongoing, multi-agency crackdown on heroin abuse in Connecticut, which has led to several deaths in recent months.