Public Safety
Jeremiah Marron Brian Malagrida DEA Heroin Investigation

DEA Thanks Two on Darien Police Force for Work in Major Area Investigation — Was It ‘Operation Face Down’?

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Two Darien police officers were recognized Tuesday the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and presented with plaques for “outstanding contributions to the success” of a joint investigation into a heroin-selling ring in Fairfield County, Darien Police Capt. Ray Osborne announced in a news release. On Tuesday, Brian Malagrida of the DEA Bridgeport resident office awarded Certificates of Appreciation to Detective Sgt. Jeremiah Marron and Officer Michael Cummings, the news release said, “in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the success of the aforementioned investigation as they were designated as case-specific deputized officers who contributed greatly to the overall success of this operation.” The investigation resulted in 13 arrests and the seizure of more than $215,000 in assets, including six firearms, two vehicles, and drug seizures of more than a kilogram of heroin and four kilograms of cocaine. The description of the operation sounds a lot like “Operation Face Down,” which Detective Sgt.

Public Safety
Joel Jean arrest photo mug shot Bridgeport P.D. 8-4-16

Darien Police Help Bridgeport Police in Arrest of 3 on Drug-Sale Charges

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An announcement distributed by Darien police:

The Bridgeport Police Narcotics Task Force working tandem with the Darien Police Department Selective Enforcement Unit (S.E.U.), conducted a long term drug investigation into a large scale heroin trafficker, later identified as Joel Jean, born Aug. 30, 1986. Investigation revealed that Joel Jean, while free on parole, has been distributing large quantities of heroin throughout the city of Bridgeport and lower Fairfield County. As a result of the investigation, search and seizure warrants were obtained for Jean’s residence at 127 Hansen Ave. in Bridgeport, and for his vehicle, a 2004 Honda Accord, which police witnessed Jean transporting heroin in.

Public Safety
Michael Hudson arrest photo mug shot Norwalk 7-9-16

Man Charged with Selling Heroin in Darien and Norwalk

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UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE:

An announcement from Darien police at 12:56 p.m., Friday:
On July 7, Michael Hudson, age 26, of 73 Ferris Ave., Norwalk, was arrested by this agency for his involvement in the sale of heroin to undercover officers. Several months ago, police learned that Michael Hudson was selling heroin in Darien and Norwalk.  The Norwalk Police Special Services Division determined that Hudson based most of his heroin dealing in and about the Colonial Village housing community [located just north of Best Buy] in Norwalk. During the investigation, undercover officers were able to purchase heroin from Hudson and on one occasion a bag of heroin purchased from Hudson was laced with Fentanyl. Following a lengthy investigation by both departments, the Darien Police Selective Enforcement Unit secured an arrest warrant for Hudson for the possession of and sale of Heroin. On Thursday afternoon, Norwalk officers observed Hudson exiting an apartment in Colonial Village.  As he drove away on a scooter, he attempted to elude police engaging them in pursuit.

Public Safety
Mug shot Kevin Grant

Darien Man Charged with Selling Heroin [Updated]

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A Darien man, 25, has been selling heroin in town, and after Darien detectives obtained an arrest warrant for him this week, they found he was about to sell more on Saturday and arrested him, police said. (Editor’s note: This article has been updated at the bottom.)
Police gave this account of the matter (including accusations not proven in court):

The man, Kevin Grant of Shady Acres Road, was found when police put under surveillance an area where the sale was going to take place. Soon after 7 p.m., they saw Grant drive up and arrested him. Grant suffered minor injuries in the arrest and was treated by Darien EMS-Post 53. Police also found three bags of heroin during the incident.

Public Safety
Salvatore Vento 2-8-16

Police: Norwalk Man, Now Arrested, Sold Cocaine in Darien

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Darien police arrested a 45-year-old Norwalk man on Monday after an investigation into cocaine sales in Darien. Police say they confiscated both drugs and a hand gun from the man. Police on Tuesday afternoon issued this news release (with accusations not proven in court):

Over the past several weeks, the Darien Police Department Selective Enforcement Unit (S.E.U.) developed information involving the delivery and sale of cocaine in the southeastern section of Darien, within close proximity of I-95. Investigators identified Salvatore Vento, 45, of Flintlock Road, Norwalk  as the individual responsible for conducting the cocaine sales in Darien. Darien Police detectives then applied for and were granted search warrants for Vento’s residence and vehicles.