By Michael Bielawski,
A drug bust over Thursday night in Bethel where nine people were arrested yielded a “grenade launcher” among numerous other firearms and hard drugs.
This involved the Vermont State Police and the Vermont Drug Task Force, who executed a search warrant on Gage Road. This occurred after an investigation into alleged cocaine and fentanyl trafficking throughout the Windsor, Chittenden, and Washington counties.
According to authorities, they found a kilogram of fentanyl and cocaine, a homemade “ghost gun”, numerous long guns, two sawed-off shotguns, a grenade launcher, and three pistols with extended magazines at the residence.
“According to authorities, they found a kilogram of fentanyl and cocaine, a home-made “ghost gun”, long guns, two sawed-off shotguns, a grenade launcher, and three pistols with extended magazines at the residence.
Also, animals were found in poor condition. The report states, “While executing the search warrant, investigators observed numerous animals living in unsanitary conditions. The animals were relocated to the Royalton Country Animal Hospital.”
Five of the suspects were from Vermont and another four were from Connecticut, two being from Hartford and another two from Manchester. Ages ranged from 55 to 18, with one apparent father/son duo involved from Connecticut.
Other entities that aided in the raid were the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD), Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU), Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Royalton Barracks and Westminster Barracks, along with the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office.
“Military-grade weapons for cartels?”
Although it’s not currently clear how this group obtained a grenade launcher, it has been in international news that the Mexican government is demanding investigations into drug cartels being found with these types of weapons.
“Mexico’s army is finding belt-fed machine guns, rocket launchers and grenades that are not sold for civilian use in the United States,” PBS reported in 2024.
Other drug busts
There was another drug bust by the Burlington Police and another dealer from a past drug bust is moving through the justice system.
“The execution of this operation stemmed from extensive surveillance and multiple controlled purchases of illegal drugs over the past several months,” the release states.
“Officers took Siddiq Nixon, 25, of Philadelphia, PA into custody pursuant to the investigation. A subsequent search warrant was executed at a residence in Winooski associated to Nixon where illegal drugs and evidence of drug distribution were located.”
Nixon was sent to the Northwest Correctional Facility for lack of $250,000 bail. He is facing charges for the sale of methamphetamine, the sale of cocaine, methamphetamine trafficking, cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, and methamphetamine possession.
It notes that “Nixon shows a criminal history out of Pennsylvania” that includes a conviction for carrying a firearm without a license.
The Winooski Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Winooski Housing Authority all had hands in the investigation.
Another dealer in court
In July 2024, the Burlington Police Department Drug Unit, along with the BPD Emergency Response Unit and the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant in Burlington for alleged drug dealing.
Jamontay Brister, 29, of Queens, NY, was arrested. The search “yielded approximately 950 grams of cocaine base, about 150 grams of fentanyl, about $10,000 in cash, and a handgun.”
The case was forwarded to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Vermont for prosecution. The report states, “On July 18, 2024, Brister had his initial appearance and U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered that Brister be detained without bail pending trial.”
Who's being charged?
In all nine individuals are being charged. They are India Tweedie, age 34 of Bethel, who "was arrested on an outstanding warrant, cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and animal cruelty." Tweedie was ordered held at Southern State Correctional Facility for an unpaid $10,000 bail. Everyone did not have bail and they all went to the same facility.
Andrea Veroneau, age 36 also of Bethel, "was arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, and violation of conditions of release." Veroneau lacked a $25,000 bail.
Moses Gardner, age 55, of Turnbridge, was "arrested for cocaine trafficking and fentanyl trafficking. Gardner lacked a $10,000 bail.
Tyler Taitague, age 32, of Bethel, "was arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, and conspiracy." Taigague lacked a $25,000 bail.
Matthew Gilbert, age 33, of Hartford, CT, was arrested for "cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and fugitive from justice." Gilbert lacked a $50,000 bail.
Anthony Gunn, age 31, also of Hartford, was "arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and fugitive from justice." Gunn lacked a $100,000 bail.
LaQuonne Thames Jr, age 18 of Manchester, CT, was "arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and violation of conditions of release." He lacked a $50,000 bail.
LaQuonne Thames Sr. age 36 of Manchester, CT was arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. He lacked a $50,000 bail.
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle
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