TORRINGTON POLICE CONTINUE STRING OF ARRESTS

TORRINGTON -- The police department's detective division is on a
roll.

Investigators say they arrested 58-year-old Simon Veras Thursday
evening after finding drugs and cash inside his apartment. Narcotics
were packaged in three small bags, ready for sale, Lt. Todd Schaller
said on Friday.

Police charged Veras with intent to sell freebase cocaine. They found
roughly 4 grams of cocaine and nearly $3,000 in cash.

The arrest was another in a string of busts made by the department,
and the second within the last two weeks. Detectives raided two
apartments -- on Prospect Street and Birge Road -- July 13 and found
drugs and cash connected with one operation.

Schaller said Thursday's raid at 330 Highland Avenue, Apt. 10L was
unrelated to the earlier investigation.

Veras was arraigned on Friday on possession and intent to sell charges
in Bantam Superior Court, and Judge Charles Gill transferred the case
to Litchfield Superior Court, where the more serious cases are heard.

Public Defender James Longwell told Gill his client doesn't have a
criminal record.

He added that he has a heart condition and supports himself with his
social security check.

Longwell, arguing for a lesser bond, said his client contends the
money police found could be traced to benefit checks.

Reading from police documents, Gill said serial numbers on $20 bills
police found match those used in controlled drug purchases organized
by investigators.

The judge ordered Veras held on a $25,000 bond. His daughter bailed
him out.

Schaller said detectives got a tip about Veras four weeks ago. They
found the cocaine in his bathroom, Schaller said.

There are more drug dealers in Torrington than ever, Schaller said,
and police have responded by beefing up the detective division's
narcotics enforcement squad which includes a sergeant and two officers.