Routine Motor Vehicle Stop Leads to Drug Arrests in East Haven
Two men and a woman are under arrest in East Haven after a routine motor vehicle stop led to the discovery of a large amount of narcotics in the vehicle they were traveling in.
East Haven Police Officer Kyle Savo initiated a motor vehicle stop on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 3:48 p.m. on a 2012 Acura TL with dark tinted windows in the area of Main Street and Charter Oak Avenue. While speaking with the operator of the vehicle, identified as Vincent Verderame, 35, of East Haven, Officer Kevin McGuire and K9 Ace arrived on scene to conduct an exterior sweep of the vehicle. During the exterior sweep, Ace gave a positive indication of the presence of narcotics within the vehicle.
Verderame and his passengers, identified as Danny Rodriguez, 30, of New Haven, and Taisha Franco, 22, of East Haven, were removed from the vehicle so officers could conduct a more thorough search. A search of the vehicle's interior resulted in the discovery of 1.5 ounces of suspected heroin, 1 ounce of suspected crack cocaine, 18 grams of suspected powder cocaine, 124 various pills including Alprazolam, and $6,000 in cash. The seized narcotics were packaged for resale and had a street value of $15,000 to $20,000. The Acura was also seized.
All three occupants were arrested and transported to the East Haven Police Department for processing.
Verderame was charged with possession of narcotics, conspiracy posession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, conspiracy to sell narcotics, failure to keep narcotics in original container, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle without tint inspection.
Rodriguez and Franco were each charged with possession of narcotics, conspiracy posession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, conspiracy to sell narcotics, and failure to keep narcotics in original container.
All three were released on a $250,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in court in New Haven on Dec. 5.