2 Caught Selling Heroin In Wallingford: Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A convicted drug dealer was caught selling heroin at a condominium complex in Wallingford on Thursday, according to police. Over the past several months, the Wallingford Police Department’s Narcotic Division has received information from residents of The Towers Condominium Complex of drug activity taking place at the complex, according to Lt. Michael Colavolpe. The Towers is located on Putter Drive in Wallingford, across from and adjacent to the Wallingford Country Club.

Detectives who were conducting surveillance in the area of The Towers on Sept. 26 saw a drug transaction take place, according to Colavolpe. After the transaction was complete, members of the patrol division conducted a motor vehicle stop on the suspect’s vehicle, which was later found to be a rental car, according to Colavolpe.

The driver was identified as 27-year-old Alexander Rivera of Clay Street in New Haven and a 17-year-old boy was also in the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, detectives found 50 bags of heroin packaged for sale and a larger bag of heroin that had not been divided up yet, Colavolpe said. The combined weight of the heroin was about 1 ounce.

Rivera and the 17-year-old were also found to be in the possession of about $6,500. A handgun holster was found in the vehicle, but a gun wasn’t, Colavolpe said.

Rivera has five previous convictions for drug sales and drug possession charges, according to Colavolpe.

Both River and the teen were charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of narcotics, and conspiracy for both charges. Rivera was released on a $10,000 bond and the 17-year-old was released to his parent.