Teenager Disarmed During Hartford Narcotics Operation

HARTFORD, CT — Hartford police officers successfully and peacefully disarmed a 15-year-old male during a citywide narcotics buy/bust operation Wednesday.

The operation was initiated in response to the numerous complaints for hand-to-hand narcotics transactions, along with a marked increase in shooting-related incidents recorded from the targeted areas, Deputy Chief Brian Foley said.

Seized during the operation were a Hi-Point 9mm semi-auto pistol, 59 bags of packaged PCP, 71 bags of heroin, five grams of crack cocaine, one ounce of liquid PCP, five packages of Suboxone Films, 25 bags of packaged marijuana (about a half-ounce each) and $3,952 in cash, Foley said.

Nine adults and two juveniles were arrested during the operation, facing charges including motor vehicle violations, narcotics possession and sales and weapons related charges, Foley said.

The loaded 9mm was recovered when detectives were covertly surveilling the area of Chappelle Gardens during the operation. Detectives observed a group of people who they believed to be engaged in street level narcotics activity, and approached the 15-year-old suspect who immediately fled on foot, Foley said.

Detectives caught the juvenile as he was attempting to enter into an apartment building, and peacefully disarmed him. He was found in possession of a loaded 9mm and marijuana packaged for street sale. The 9mm had obliterated serial numbers, which is an indication of a stolen firearm, Foley said.

The juvenile was referred to the Juvenile Detention Center.

Photo courtesy of Hartford Police Department