Traffic Stop Leads To Major Drug Bust In Hartford, Police Say

HARTFORD, CT — A traffic stop Monday morning on a local interstate led to a significant Fentanyl, heroine and crack bust, state police said Tuesday afternoon.

According to Connecticut State Police, a Rocky Hill man and a Hartford woman were arrested and charged in connection with an incident that started on Interstate 91 and ended at the bottome of an exit ramp.

Police said Mauro Spagnolo, 52, of Rocky Hill, the driver of the vehicle stopped by police, was charged with reckless driving; illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension; and possession of a controlled substance.

Spagnolo was released on $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court for arraignment on Oct. 4, police said.

A passenger in Spagnolo's vehicle, identified by state police as Hartford resident Heather Dube, 48, was arrested and charged with second-degree failure to appear in court.

For that charge, Dube was held on $500 cash bond and transported to Hartford Superior Court for a scheduled arraignment on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

In addition, police said Dube was charged on possession of a controlled substance and use of drug paraphernalia.

For those two charges, Dube was released on a $500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Hartford Superior Court for arraignment on Oct. 4, police said.

According to a police release issued Tuesday afternoon, at about 9:59 a.m. Monday, a trooper assigned to the Connecticut State Police Traffic Services Unit observed a white Dodge Sprinter van pass his unmarked cruiser at a high rate of speed on I-91 north in Hartford.

Police said the trooper to stop the vehicle, but the van failed to stop and continued traveling until it came to a stop at the bottom of Exit 32.

As the trooper approached the van, the operator was observed handling items consistent in appearance with narcotics, police said.

Spagnolo and Dube were detained and a search of the van led to the discovery of 148 packages of suspected fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine as well as associated paraphernalia, according to police.

Both Spagnolo and Dube were transported to Troop H in Hartford, where they were processed and charged.

For the Connecticut State Police news page, click on this link.