Man Charged With Operating A Drug Factory: Stratford Police

STRATFORD, CT — A man faces several charges after he was arrested as part of an investigation focused on narcotics sales and gun crimes in Stratford and Bridgeport, according to Stratford police. Law enforcement executed two search warrants June 19 in connection with the investigation, police stated in a news release.

Manuel Rivas, 29, was taken into custody after trying to escape detectives during an attempted vehicle stop, according to police. A search of a residence revealed two loaded guns as well as crack and cocaine packaged for sale, police stated. Rivas, a convicted felon, cannot legally possess a firearm.

Rivas is charged with criminal possession of a firearm, criminal possession of ammunition, illegal transfer of a firearm, operating a drug factory and possession of narcotics with intent to sell. He was held on a $100,000 bond, according to police, and will appear in court July 19.

The Stratford Narcotics Unit executed the warrants in coordination with the Bridgeport Police Task Force, the Safe Streets Task Force and the Norwalk Police Narcotics Unit.