Pubdate: Wed, 26 May 1999 Source: New Haven Register (CT) Copyright: 1999, New Haven Register Contact: http://www.ctcentral.com/cgi-bin/w3com/start?ctcentral+FrontPage Forum: http://www.ctcentral.com/ Author: David McClendon 28 ARREST ED IN TRI-STATE DRUG RAIDS Twenty-eight individuals from Bridgeport, Trumbull, Stratford, Norwalk and out of state were arrested during raids Monday night and early Tuesday on federal charges in connection with the alleged distribution of large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine in Norwalk and surrounding communities. The defendants were arrested Tuesday morning by more than 200 law enforcement officers from the FBI, DEA, IRS, U.S. Marshal's Service, and the Norwalk, Bridgeport and state police departments, said Stephen C. Robinson, the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. The arrests cracked what officials are calling a large-scale drug distribution organization and netted suppliers, wholesalers and street-level drug dealers operating in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Four search and seizure warrants were executed in Norwalk and Trumbull, authorities said. Law officers said they confiscated $50,000 in cash, eight firearms, a large quantity of ammunition, a large quantity of drugs - including cocaine and marijuana - packing materials, scales, records, as well as other evidence establishing the drug-trafficking conspiracy, authorities said. Also seized Tuesday were four automobiles and a home at 28 Indian Road in Trumbull belonging to Robert "Bahama Bob" Vadas, authorities said. Robinson said the suspects and three others are charged in an indictment returned by a Bridgeport federal grand jury convened on May 6 and a criminal complaint signed on May 24. Three defendants, whom authorities did not specifically identify on Tuesday, are fugitives and are actively being sought by federal agents, Robinson said. All suspects appeared on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judges Holly B. Fitzsimmons and William I. Garfunkle. All but two were ordered detained pending hearings later this week. The suspects are charged with drug conspiracy, possession of crack and cocaine with intent to distribute, and involvement in a continuing criminal enterprise. The alleged drug ring operated in a South Norwalk neighborhood and other communities. The following suspects were charged by federal authorities on Tuesday: Rodololfo Segura, 34, of Norwalk; Octavio Taborda, 50, of Norwalk; Martha Collazo Torres, 45, of Norwalk; Jose Orlando Pena, 50, West New York, New York; Cielo Melendez, 47, Norwalk; Martin Torres, 35, Norwalk; Robert Vadas, 41, 28 Indian Road, Trumbull; Carlos Davila, 28, Norwalk; William Lopez, 28, Norwalk; Oswaldo Rodriguez, 28, 116 Waldorf St., Bridgeport; Evette Rodriguez, 23; Bridgeport; Thomas Smalls, 27; Norwalk; Daniel Marra, 27, 141 Los Angeles Ave., Stratford; Richard Tregila, 34; Norwalk; and Joseph Cappellieri, 36, 3730 Madison Ave., apartment 211, Bridgeport; Shaki Sumpter, 24, Norwalk. Also arrested were: James Williams 21, 120 Huntington Turnpike, Bridgeport; Angel Rodriguez, 261 Ely Ave., building 21, unit C, Bridgeport; Jose Figueroa, 27, Norwalk; Joselito Rotger, 22, Norwalk; Oscar Figueroa, 24, 261 Ely Ave., building 21, Bridgeport; Noel Rodriguez, 26, 29 Anderson St., Stratford; Malvin Marquez, 19, Norwalk; Van L. Turner, 33, Norwalk; Jeffery Navarro, 20, Norwalk; Hector Barrientos, 55, Woodside, New York; Jimmy Augusto, Restrepo, 38, Queens, New York; and Norman Arango-Ramirez, 36, address unknown. - --- MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry