Ansonia police on Thursday announced several arrests involving narcotics investigations by the department’s anti-crime unit.
“All of these arrests were a result of the Ansonia Police Department’s response to neighborhood concerns and complaints received about illicit drug sales occurring in various spots in the city,” a statement from Lt. Andrew Cota said.
Engine Compartment Heroin
In the first case, Cota’s statement said that on April 9 at about 5:30 p.m., the Police Department’s anti-crime unit was ​“conducting an operation” on Wakelee Avenue and observed what they believed to be a drug deal occur.
Officers then stopped a vehicle involved in the deal on Church Street and detained two men, Cota said.
“During the course of the investigation officers were able to locate 28 individual packets of suspected heroin that the occupants had hidden in the engine compartment of the vehicle,” Cota’s statement said.
Arrested were Gregory Czel, 33, of Newtown, and Matthew Gagliardi, 26, of Naugatuck.
Both were charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, and conspiracy to possess narcotics.
Both were released after posting $2,500 bonds.
Howard Avenue Vehicle Stop
On April 16 at about 3:45 p.m. Cota said the anti-crime unit was again conducting an operation on Wakelee Avenue when they saw what looked like a drug deal, so they stopped a car involved on Howard Avenue.
Officers detained the driver, Raymond Cianciullo, 42, of Milford, and then found a ​“small amount of crack cocaine” in the vehicle.
Cianciullo was charged with possession of narcotics and possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school.
He was released on a $5,000 bond.
Root Avenue Arrests
On April 18 at about 6:20 p.m. Cota said anti-crime unit officers saw a drug deal on Root Avenue near the GQ Foodmart and subsequently charged three people involved.
Cota said police had received numerous complaints from neighbors about drug activity in the area.
Police charged Tre Akeem Day, 21, of Pleasant Street, Ansonia, with sale of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.
He was released after posting a $2,500 bond.
Police also issued infractions to a Naugatuck man and an Ansonia man for possession of marijuana.