Mass. man arrested for drug trafficking in Waterbury
Rafael Santos, 37, of Springfield, MA, was arrested on July 25, at 3:30 PM, at 1159 Ripley Road in Waterbury, following a weeks-long investigation by the Vermont Drug Task Force and Vermont State Police.
Santos faces multiple charges, including two counts of fentanyl trafficking, one count of fentanyl sale, two counts of cocaine sale, and one count of cocaine trafficking. The investigation involved several controlled purchases of cocaine and fentanyl, culminating in a search warrant execution that uncovered significant quantities of these drugs.
Santos was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Northwestern Correctional Center on $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Washington County Superior Court, Criminal Division, on July 26, 2024, at 12:30 PM.
Suspicious death of Morristown resident under investigation
Richard Cote, 76, was found dead in his home at 813 Elmore Street on the morning of July 24. Police discovered Cote’s body after responding to a welfare check requested by an associate concerned for his well-being.
Authorities consider Cote’s death suspicious and are actively investigating the circumstances. His body has been sent to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Police believe this is an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
As of the evening of July 25, the investigation remains active, with detectives following up on leads. The Morristown Police Department is awaiting preliminary autopsy results and continues to seek information from anyone who was in the area of 813 Elmore Street on the evening of July 23. Those with information are urged to contact the Morristown Police at (802) 888-4211.
The investigation has received support from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Vermont State Police Major Crimes Unit, Stowe Police Department, Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department, Hardwick Police Department, and Vermont Fish and Game Wardens.
CT man arrested for drug operation in Burlington
On the afternoon of July 23, 2024, Burlington Police conducted a drug operation on Buell Street, resulting in the arrest of Christopher Stephens, 37, of Hartford, Connecticut.
The operation followed extensive surveillance, multiple controlled purchases, and tips from the public, as well as information received by Deputy Chief Labrecque. During the operation, officers engaged in a brief foot chase before apprehending Stephens.
Stephens was initially held at Northwest State Correctional Facility on $25,000 bail. He was arraigned the following morning and remains in custody on $17,500 bail.
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