CRIME SOLVERS TIPLINE:  860-527-TIPS

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, October 30, 2007

HARTFORD POLICE SHUT DOWN DRUG FACTORY

(Hartford) - On Monday, October 29, 2007, Detectives of the Hartford Police Department's Vice and Narcotics Division, the F.B.I. Task Force, and the Statewide Narcotics Task Force made three arrests and shut down a drug factory operating out of 55 Sequin Street, Hartford.  Information had been developed by the investigators that 55 Sequin Street was being utilized to store and package large quantities of heroin.

Arrested and charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell (PWITS), PWITS within 1,500 feet of a school were Edwin Mateo, 17, of 56 Maple Avenue and Jose Velez, 29, of no certain address (NCA).  Mateo's bond was set at $30,000 with a Hartford Superior Court date of November 8th.  Velez' bond was set at $30,000 with a November 9th Hartford Superior Court date. 

Also arrested on possession of narcotics, PWITS, PWITS within 1,500 feet of a school, operating a drug factory, and as a fugitive from justice, was Rudy Negron, AKA Branham Orengo, 28, of 55 Sequin Street.  Negron was found to be wanted by Rhode Island State Police on narcotics trafficking charges.  Negron's bond was set at $1.25 million.  He remains in custody pending extradition by the State of Rhode Island.

Thirteen hundred bags of heroin, two hundred grams of pure heroin, hundreds of empty yellow wax envelopes stamped "Red Bull 2", hundreds of empty plastic bags, scales, sifters, grinders and a heat sealer, and $1,431 in U.S. Currency were seized as a result of the investigation.

In commenting on the impact of this investigation, Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts said, "I want to commend members of the HPD's Vice and Narcotics Division, the F.B.I. Task Force, and the Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Task Force for their collaboration on this investigation.  I have no doubt that these arrests and the shut down of this drug factory will curb the illicit drug trafficking in the area, improve the quality of life in the neighborhood, and give some peace to area residents."

Below are photos of the seized drugs and mugshots of the three individuals arrested.


Packaged Heroin Seized at 55 Sequin Street, Hartford

Heroin and Drug Paraphernalia Seized at 55 Sequin Street, Hartford

Rudy Negron, AKA Branham Orengo, DOB 12/27/1976

Edwin Mateo, DOB 12/26/1980

Jose Velez, DOB 2/18/1978

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Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 757-4021
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