Suspected Manchester Dealer Charged In Vernon Drug Bust

VERNON, CT — A Manchester man was caught in a drug bust Thursday, Vernon police said.

On Thursday, members of the East Central Narcotics Task Force, working alongside Vernon Police Department detectives, were in the area of the Red Roof Inn on Route 30 attempting to locate a fugitive, according to an incident report. During the operation, officers observed what appeared to be a hand-to-hand narcotics sale taking place on the property, according to an incident report.

Officers intervened and requested assistance from the VPD's our newest canine team — Officer James Platosh and police dog Boone. It was determined that the occupant of a vehicle at the scene was actively selling narcotics, according to an incident report.

Police said a search of the vehicle and the occupant resulted in the seizure of:

• 50 grams of crack cocaine
• 100 folds of fentanyl
• Cash
• Drug paraphernalia

The driver was identified as Antonique Richards, 35, of Manchester. He was charged with two counts of narcotics possession, possession with the intent to sell, evidence tampering and interfering with police.

Richards was held overnight on a $150,000 bond and was to appear in Rockville Superior Court Friday.