POLICE BOOST EFFORTS TO STEM ACTIVITY

TORRINGTON - Narcotics arrests are on the rise in Torrington as city
police focus on putting a network of city drug dealers out of business.

"We have seized more than $160,000 in the last three months and made
more than 30 arrests," Torrington Police Lt. Todd Schaller said.

From downtown to the East End, Torrington police are conducting
surveillance in neighborhoods throughout the city, interviewing drug
users as well as using traditional strategies to flush out dealers.

Some of the arrests from the city drug trade include (listed from most
recent):

July 13: (name redacted) and (name redacted) were arrested after
officers allegedly found cocaine, heroin, marijuana and Ecstasy in
their homes and Willis' Jeep. A prosecutor said Friday that (name
redacted) inherited the drug business from Marcus "Mo" Brisbane, of
371 Migeon Ave., who has been in jail since September for allegedly
kidnapping a city man at gunpoint because the victim stole thousands
of dollars in drug money.

June 13: (name redacted) allegedly distributed crack cocaine from a
reported drug factory at 349 South Main St. Police said (name
redacted) used a fake Dr. Pepper soda can to hide bundles of crack
cocaine he delivered to customers in his 1999 Ford Expedition.

June 7: (name redacted) and (name redacted) were allegedly found with
heroin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia during a raid of their
Lakeside Motel room at 3570 Winsted Road.

May 30: (name redacted) was arrested after police allegedly conducted
four undercover drug purchases from his green Chevrolet Tahoe.

May 10: (name redacted) allegedly delivered crack cocaine and
marijuana to his customers in front of the busy Cumberland Farms store
on South Main Street from his apartment at 193 B South Main St.

March 27: (name redacted) was allegedly observed delivering crack
cocaine in her 2001 Lincoln Navigator with her 10-year-old child
inside, in the parking lot of the Wendy's Restaurant at 222 Dibble
St.

There are a number of factors that account for the recent increase in
arrests, Sgt. Steve Russo said. People are frustrated about the drug
plague in cities such as New Haven, Waterbury and Bridgeport, and are
concerned the problem is creeping north.

"It is very helpful when residents call to report suspicious activity
in their neighborhood because we cannot be everywhere every minute,"
Russo said.

A number of successful investigations began with a citizen's report of
cars frequently stopping at a neighbor's house for short periods of
time, Russo said.

"People should report the activities as soon as they happen, don't
wait until after something goes wrong," he said. By phone or letter,
anonymously, or not, neighbors can report their suspicions to police.

An anonymous letter sent to police last year led to the investigation
of Bigelow, Schaller said. Using standard police tactics including
surveillance and trash recovery, police were able to find enough
evidence to obtain a search-and-seizure warrant for Bigelow's two
apartments and vehicle.

Police allegedly seized two small bags of marijuana, paraphernalia and
cash at the Grove Street house. Also allegedly seized at 349 South
Main St. were 11 ounces of crack cocaine, $27,644 in cash and two
computers, and what may be evidence that Bigelow was laundering his
profits in an Internet company called Interstate Tickets, according to
documents released Friday in Litchfield Superior Court. Police also
seized documents such as credit card statements owned by Dmowski,
according to the warrant, that may link both crimes.

The results of the investigations are no surprise, State's Attorney
David Shepack said Friday.

"Over the last few years we have certainly been very pleased with the
work product from Torrington police," Shepack said. "The work by
Torrington police and Devin Stilson, who works very closely with the
narcotics cases pre and post arrest, has been very good on a
consistent basis."

A federal grant provided to Torrington police has also aided in
bringing more officers to the narcotics division, Russo said. One of
the most noticeable factors that has aided in more arrests, he said,
is department cooperation. With drug users turning to burglary,
robbery and larceny to fund their habit, different divisions often
have information or witnesses all too willing to help snare a dealer
to get out from under a burglary arrest, for example, Russo said.

"They have been doing an awesome job," Schaller said.

With everyone working together, he expects continued success.