Narcotics Raid At Manchester Home Nabs Pills, Coke

MANCHESTER, CT — A raid in Manchester last week effectively shut down an an in-home drug operation, police said.

The operation took place Thursday morning and police released the details over the weekend.

That day, the East Central Narcotics Task Force executed a search-and-seizure warrant at 11 Horace Street in Manchester. While searching the residence, investigators uncovered an "extensive drug distribution operation," according to a task force report.

Officers confiscated More than 3 pounds of cocaine, 300 ecstasy tablets, and approximately 116 grams of crack cocaine in the raid. A loaded Springfield XD pistol and a variety of ammunition was also located in the residence, according to a task force report.

Two arrests were made.

Joel L. Rivera, 48, was taken into custody, held on a $250,000 surety bond and charged with:

• Criminal possession of a firearm
• Possession of cocaine with the intent to sell
• Possession of fentanyl with the intent to sell
• Possession of ecstasy with the intent to sell
• Possession of crack cocaine with the intent to sell
• Possession of a half-ounce or more of cocaine
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Operating a drug factory

Raquel Medina, 45, was charged with:

• Possession of narcotics
• Conspiracy to operate a drug factory

Medina was released on a $50,000non-surety bond.

Both are scheduled to appear in court on May 11.