Narcotics Taskforce Arrests Manchester Man

A Manchester man was charged with numerous drug offenses Wednesday after an undercover surveillance operation by the East Central Narcotics Taskforce.

The taskforce executed a search warrant at 218 Oak Street in Manchester, which had resulted from a lengthy investigation into marijuana sales in and around the Spruce Street area, Sgt. Rick Grimaldi said in a written statement.

Taskforce officers had received information from numerous sources saying marijuana sales were being conducted on Spruce Street, between School Street and Birch Street. Undercover surveillance operations were set up, and as a result a marijuana dealer with the street name of “Smitty” was identified as being the main suspect in the drug sales, Grimaldi wrote.

Dashaun Smith, 21, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of more than a half-ounce but less than four ounces of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, operating a drug factory and risk of injury to a minor.

He was held on $150,000 bond.

As a result of the search warrant, taskforce members seized approximately 2.5 ounces of marijuana, $340 in cash, a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson semiautomatic handgun, two counterfeit $50 bills, several drug paraphernalia items and several phones.

A separate arrest warrant charging Smith with interfering with police and possession of marijuana was also served at the time of this arrest. The ECNTF will also be applying for an additional arrest warrant/s in this case for previous drug sales, Grimaldi wrote.

The East Central Narcotics Taskforce, in cooperation with other municipal and federal law enforcement agencies, is interested in stopping illegal narcotics sales and use in the Manchester, South Windsor, Vernon, and Glastonbury communities.

Anyone with information pertaining to any illicit drug activity is asked to contact the East Central Narcotics Taskforce at (860) 645-5548. All calls will remain confidential.

Photo courtesy of Manchester Police Department