Nearly 8 Kilos Of Fentanyl Seized, Man Arrested In Stamford: Police

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Police Department on Wednesday announced the arrest of a 60-year-old man in what's believed to be the largest fentanyl seizure in the city's history.

Following a five-week investigation by the SPD's Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad, Miguel “Cuba” Rodriguez-Veloz, a resident of Main Street in Stamford, was apprehended after he left an apartment in the 90 block of Liberty Street on Tuesday around 2:30 p.m., Assistant Stamford Police Chief Richard Conklin said.

Rodriguez-Veloz had 1.2 grams of powder cocaine, 2.9 grams of crack cocaine, 4 grams fentanyl and $10 in cash on his person, Conklin said, and he was placed under arrest.

A search warrant for the Liberty Street apartment, which police said was used as a "stash pad" by Rodriguez-Veloz, found 112 grams of cocaine, 7,962 grams of fentanyl, or approximately 8 kilograms, $2,575 in cash, and numerous packaging materials and scales, according to Conklin.

"I'd like to give kudos to Officer Michael Spinosa who was the lead investigator on this case, along with our Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad. They really hit a home run with this case," Conklin said. "It's the largest fentanyl seizure in the Stamford Police Department's history."

Conklin also praised officers for their ability to gather evidence inside the Liberty Street apartment and handling containers of fentanyl, which can be lethal in even small amounts.

Rodriguez-Veloz was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell more than an ounce, and operating a drug factory, Conklin said.

Conklin added that the charges came with a $250,000 bond, but the amount was lowered to $100,000 after a review from a bail commissioner.

Rodriguez-Veloz has prior felony convictions related to drug trafficking and sexual assault mostly out of Massachusetts, according to Conklin, who took exception to the revised bond amount calling it "quite unreasonable."

"We're lucky that Rodriguex-Veloz did not bond out at that number. He went over to court today, and we're very happy to see they took this case very seriously," Conklin said. "During his arraignment, they boosted his bond to $3 million, which is much more appropriate for this case. That's something we'll follow up on, that a bond commissioner would lower the bond in such a substantial case."