Accused Dealer On A Moped Arrested On Southington Drug Warrants

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A Southington man known for riding a moped through town is accused of dealing narcotics in four warrants served on Wednesday.

The investigation began several months ago, when the Southington Police Department's Special Investigations Unit received information from "numerous sources" that a man was selling illegal narcotics — including Fentanyl — in town, according to a report.

Detectives identified the man as Michael Barracliff, 53, of Southington, a report indicates.

During the probe, four controlled purchases of Fentanyl were made from Barracliff, resulting in four warrants, police said.

At about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, investigators saw Barracliff operating a maroon-colored moped southbound on North Main Street in Southington. He was stopped and found with 35 wax folds of suspected Fentanyl, according to a report.

He also had 2.8 grams of marijuana and empty wax folds were located in a front compartment area of the moped, according to a report.

Barracliff was charged with:

• Four counts of the sale of narcotics (Fentanyl)
• Four counts of illegal possession of narcotics (Fentanyl)
• One count of narcotics possession (Fentanyl) with intent to sell
• Possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana.

Barracliff was held overnight on a collective bond total of $350,000. He is scheduled to appear in Bristol Superior Court on June 13, police said.

The warrants were sealed at the time of the arrest.