2 Charged After Task Force Drug Sting In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Police confiscated several types of drugs and two men were charged after a bust in Vernon Thursday.

targeted "known narcotics dealer" Dakota Lopez, according to a report.

With several warrants in hand to search both Lopez and his vehicle, task force officers set up surveillance at locations when Lopez was known to conduct narcotics transactions, according to a report.

Officers located Lopez at a one of the locations in the Rockville section of Vernon, a report indicates.

Lopez and a passenger, identified as an "accomplice" named Julio Mulero, were then detained, according to a report.

Police said the following times were located during a subsequent search of the vehicle:

• $440 in U.S. currency (four 100-dollar bills, one $20 bill and a pair of $10 bills.
• Approximately 20 grams of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated street value of
• $2,000
• Approximately 14.9 grams of suspected powder cocaine with an estimated street value of $2,250.00
• Approximately 25.2 grams of suspected MDMA pressed into individual pills with an estimated street value of $1,000
• 67 individually packaged plastic bags containing suspected crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $670
• Approximately 47.9 grams of suspected marijuana in assorted packaging
• 3 vlue oval pills stamped "b972/10" (suspected Adderall)
• Digital scales
• A "significant number" of drug packaging materials

The result of a Thursday drug bust in Vernon. (ECNTF)

Lopez and Mulero were then arrested.

Lopez, 21, was charged charged with:

• Possession with the intent to sell a narcotic substance
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession with the intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school
• Operating a drug factory
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Lopez was held on a $350,000 bond and was to appear in court on Friday, according to a report.

Mulero, also 21, was charged with

• Possession with the intent to sell a narcotic substance
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession with the intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school
• Operating a drug factory
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Mulero was released on a $100,000 surety bond, and was issued a court date of Oct. 6, a report indicates.