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Bags Of Heroin And Semi-Automatic Weapons Seized In Massive Drug Raid

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Steve Birr Vice Reporter
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Authorities arrested two individuals during a major narcotics trafficking bust in Connecticut, seizing thousands in cash, hundreds of heroin bags and several semi-automatic firearms.

Police with the Vice & Narcotics Unit in Hartford raided an apartment unit Wednesday night after surveilling the area for signs of drug trafficking. A recent spike in the number of local heroin deaths and mounting neighborhood complaints about suspicious activity sparked the investigation. After obtaining a search warrant, authorities raided the building and uncovered the distribution operation and arresting two suspects, reports NBC Connecticut.

Officers obtained a total of 101 grams of powdered heroin, 746 bags of heroin, 56 grams of cocaine, $16,115 in cash, two semi-automatic pistols, ammunition, a scale and distribution materials.

One of the individuals arrested is cited for trying to assault police during the bust. Authorities suspect the trafficking ring, located in an apartment complex on 69 John Street, is behind an increase in heroin deaths in the southern part of Hartford.

Wilbert Ruperto, 26, and Braulio Maysonet, 25, face a litany of charges, including possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, operating a drug factory and altering the ID of a firearm. Ruperto faces additional charges of criminal possession of a pistol, reckless driving, evading responsibility, attempted assault on police, interfering with police, and driving without a license.

Connecticut saw a 125.9 percent increase in synthetic opioid and heroin deaths between 2014 and 2015. Neighboring states are also experiencing sharp increases in heroin abuse and overdoses. New York experienced a 135.7 percent increase in synthetic opioid and heroin deaths between 2014 and 2015.

GOP Gov. Chris Christie declared the opioid epidemic a public health crisis Jan. 17 in New Jersey, which has a death rate from heroin higher than the national average. Heroin deaths spiked 22 percent between 2014 and 2015 and the state doubled the national drug overdose death rate with 1,600 fatalities in 2015.

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