Manchester Police Raid Nets 400-Plus Bags of Fentanyl

MANCHESTER, CT — More than 400 bags of fentanyl were seized in a Manchester drug bust Saturday, police said.

The raid was the result of an investigation by the East Central Narcotics Task Force that began in June into narcotics trafficking at Bro’s Mini Mart, 245 Spruce St. in Manchester, police said.

According to a report, investigators identified store owner/cashier Henry Mendez as the "source of distribution" for cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana from the establishment.

On Saturday, the ECNTF executed a search and seizure warrant at Bro’s and during the raid located 24 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, 414 pre-packaged bags of fentanyl prepared for sale, 36 grams of crack cocaine and approximately 3 ounces of marijuana, according to a report.

Along with the narcotics, investigators seized packaging material, scales and nearly $5,000 in cash.

Henry Mendez, 45, was taken into custody and charged with: possession of cocaine, possession of fentanyl, possession of more than a half-ounce of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, operating a drug factory and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a report.

Antonio Flores, 42, was located inside the establishment and found in to be possession of fentanyl, police said. He was subsequently charged with possession of fentanyl, police said.