Crime & Safety

PD: $20,000 Worth of Heroin Seized in Multi-Town Sting

Middletown and Cromwell police worked together to arrest three individuals, one of whom faces a litany of charges related to operating a drug factory.

A Cromwell man is facing a litany of charges relating to operation of a narcotics factory following a joint effort by Middletown and Cromwell police in which $20,000 worth of narcotics was seized.

In a press conference Thursday at Middletown Police headquarters, Chief Anthony Salvatore and Chief William McKenna announced the arrest of three individuals: Nichole Landry, 40, and Jesse Goodrich, 32, both of Cromwell Hills Drive, Cromwell, and Sarah Jordan, 21, of Sofia Court, Galloway, Ohio.

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On Oct. 16 at 6:15 p.m., Middletown officers stopped Goodrich while he was driving a 2012 Dodge Ram on Newfield Street in Middletown, according to police.  

Goodrich, the truck and his home were subjects of a search and seizure warrant obtained after Cromwell Police notified Middletown detectives of his narcotics trafficking. 

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The report indicates Goodrich led police on a slow-paced pursuit on Route 3 in Middletown, then crashed his truck into a garage door at 256 Condon Street East. Goodrich fought with officers, the report says, as they tried to handcuff him and told them he was under the influence of PCP.  

Heroin was later found in Goodrich’s truck and in the pants of his passenger, Jordan, whom Goodrich threatened to hide the drugs, police say. It's believed Jordan recently moved to the area.

At Goodrich’s home, where he lives with Landry, police say, detectives found Landry's 2-year-old child alone while she went to the liquor store. A search revealed there was a slider door leading to a third-floor balcony that was left open. As a result, the report says, the state Department of Children and Families was notified and the child was taken from the home.

More heroin was found in the couple's home, along with packaging material, a scale, other narcotics-related items and $300 in cash, police say.

The total street value of the heroin was estimated to be worth $19,600.

"In my opinion for this size of heroin seized one I have seen on the local level," McKenna said. 

Salvatore agreed. "It's causing me great concern. There seems to be a shift, moving toward more heroin out there."

McKenna said he believes that since Goodrich was found with such a large amount of narcotics that he had just "re-upped" his supply and he suspects the heroin came from New York City or Hartford. The chief also indicated an investigation into Goodrich selling heroin in another nearby town is ongoing.

"We certainly hope people are not buying this large a quantity in our towns on a daily basis," McKenna said.

Landry was charged with illegal possession, sale and administration of narcotics, risk of injury to a minor and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Jordan was charged with: illegal possession of narcotics and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Goodrich was charged with Reckless Driving, Engaging Police in Pursuit, Operating Under the Influence of Drugs/Alcohol, Failure to Drive in Proper Lane, Making an Improper Turn, Operation of MV without license, Non-student Possession Drug Paraphernalia School Zone, Operation of Drug Factory, Possession with Intent to Sell, Distribution of Controlled Substance 1500 feet School Zone, Possession Controlled Substance, Risk of Injury to Child, first-degree Criminal Mischief, and Threatening.


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