Suspected Drug Dealer Arrested In Bridgeport: Police

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 42-year-old Naugatuck man was arrested last month by Bridgeport police on narcotics and weapons charges, following an investigation into drug dealing in the Bridgeport.

Ralph Cora was arrested on a warrant charging him with numerous violations, including:

• Criminal Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell

According to Bridgeport police, members of the department's Task Force, which teamed up with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, to investigate Cora, who was accused of dealing drugs Bridgeport from an address in Naugatuck.

"This investigation resulted in the issuance of search and seizure warrants for the residence at 28 Tolles Square in Naugatuck, the person of Ralph Cora, and his primary vehicle, a 2010 dark blue BMW X3," wrote Bridgeport Police Sgt. Michael Paoletti in a statement.

The following evidence was seized by authorities:

• 80 suspected ecstasy pills
• Several grams of crack cocaine packaged for street-level sales
• Quantities of marijuana
• One illegal firearm equipped with a high-capacity magazine (illegal in the State of Connecticut)
• Numerous rounds of illegal ammunition
• An additional firearm, high-capacity magazines
• U.S. currency believed to be the proceeds of narcotics trafficking

"Based on the evidence gathered throughout the investigation and the items seized pursuant to the warrants, officers clearly demonstrated that Cora was engaged in narcotics trafficking and had possession of the firearm, which served to protect and facilitate his illicit drug operation," Paoletti said.

Cora is being held in lieu of bail of $500,000, and he is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Wednesday.