Business Owner Charged With Selling Cocaine: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford business owner was arrested after police say he was selling cocaine from the business. Police received information that cocaine was being sold from RTC Small Engine Repair, located at 110 Pent Highway in Wallingford, according to Lt. Michael Colavolpe. Following an investigation, police executed a search warrant at the business on Friday, July 26.

The owner of the business, 59-year-old Richard Carpenter, was arrested for possession of narcotics with intent to sell and possession of narcotics.

During the search, police found that Carpenter was in possession of nine bags of cocaine with a total weight of approximately 6 grams and two additional bags of cocaine were found inside the business, according to Colavolpe. The total weight of the bags was ½ an ounce.

Colavolpe said in total, approximately ¾ ounces of cocaine with a street value of about $1,000 was seized. In addition to the drugs, cash and digital scales were also seized.

Carpenter was released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Meriden Superior Court on Aug. 9.

Richard Phoenix, 48, of Waterbury, was also arrested while police were executing the search warrant. He was found to be in possession of two bags of cocaine, packaged in the same manner as those seized from Carpenter, according to Colavolpe. Phoenix was issued a misdemeanor summons and is scheduled to appear at Meriden Superior Court on Aug. 8.