Fentanyl-Laced Crack And Cocaine Seized During Westport Police Arrest

WESTPORT, CT — Two suspects were arrested, and a stash of narcotics and drug paraphernalia seized, Wednesday morning following a traffic stop on the Sherwood Island Connector in Westport, according to police.

Before the arrests, one of the suspects unsuccessfully tried to run away from police.

The incident began at about 9:40 a.m., when an officer conducting traffic enforcement on the connector pulled over a car for a motor vehicle violation.

"Upon approaching the car, the officer saw that there were four men inside," Westport police said in a statement. "As the driver was retrieving paperwork from the glove compartment, the officer observed a plastic bag that contained several red capsules. He knew that capsules of that type are typically used to package crack cocaine. At this point, the officer called for additional units to assist him with this investigation."

Seconds later, the person sitting in the front passenger seat jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the woods adjacent to the commuter parking lot. The officer chased him and saw him discarding items as he ran, police said. The passenger was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers, while the other three occupants remained with the car and did not attempt to flee.

"The evidence that the passenger discarded during the foot chase was suspected narcotics and a scale," police said. "The suspected narcotics were tested and determined to be cocaine and crack. Both were mixed with fentanyl. The crack cocaine weighed [12] grams and the cocaine weighed [60] grams."

The identities of the arrested passenger and driver are not being disclosed at this time, police said, because authorities are still trying to find out who they are.

The passenger who ran was charged with:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell
• Illegal Operation of a Drug Factory
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Tampering With Evidence
• Assault on a Public Safety Officer
• Interfering With an Officer

He is currently being held in lieu of bail of $75,000.

The driver was charged with:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Interfering With an Officer
• Criminal Impersonation
• Misuse of a License Plate
• Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance
• Illegal Tinting
• Operating Without a License

He is currently being held in lieu of bail of $51,000.

The passengers in the back seat were not charged in connection with the case, but one of them was taken into custody on undisclosed outstanding warrants in other jurisdictions.