5 Arrested In Recent Drug Investigations In Stratford: Police

STRATFORD, CT — Five men have been arrested in connection with recent drug investigations in Stratford, according to police.

Nicholas Chiarantano, who is known to Stratford Police Department Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Detectives as a “street level narcotics dealer from past incidents,” was arrested March 27 after he was seen conducting a drug deal in a parking lot in the 1700 block of Barnum Avenue, according to Capt. Jerry Pinto.

After the drug deal, Pinto said detectives saw Chiarantano get into the passenger side of a GMC Yukon. Detectives then conducted a motor vehicle stop of the Yukon.

Pinto said both Chiarantano and the driver of the Yukon, 74-year-old Chester Chambers, were found to be in possession of approximately 8 grams of heroin/fentanyl.

Chambers was also found to be illegally in possession of a firearm, according to Pinto.

Chiarantano, 37, was arrested on charges of illegal sales of a narcotic substance. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond with a court date of May 9, according to state judicial records.

Chambers was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, illegal transfer of a firearm and illegal possession of a narcotic substance. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond with a court date of April 17.

NVI Detectives and Bridgeport Task Force Detectives executed two search warrants on April 1 at a home on North Bishop Avenue in Bridgeport, according to Pinto.

Pinto said one search warrant was for 31-year-old Dwayne Upchurch, a convicted felon who lives at the home, and the other search warrant was for the house itself.

While conducting surveillance of the home, Pinto said detectives saw Upchurch leave his home and walk up to a 2015 Aston Martin parked nearby.

Pinto said detectives watched as Upchurch and the driver of the Aston Martin, 45-year-old Dean Williams, who is a convicted felon, appeared to “begin conducting a narcotics transaction.”

The detectives broke up the transaction and began executing the search warrants, according to Pinto.

In total, Pinto said detectives seized 59.2 grams of fentanyl, $1,142 cash, two cell phones and the 2015 Aston Martin.

Upchurch was charged with conspiracy and illegal possession with intent to sell over 1 ounce of heroin. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond with a court date of April 11.

Williams was charged with conspiracy and illegal possession with intent to sell over 1 ounce of heroin. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond with a court date of May 2.

On April 10, Pinto said NVI detectives along with members of the Bridgeport DEA Task Force, executed three search warrants at a home on Wiklund Avenue in Stratford.

Pinto said one search warrant was for 60-year-old Ricky Upchurch, who is a convicted felon, his home on Wiklund Avenue, and his 2013 Nissan Altima.

Detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop of Ricky Upchurch on Wiklund Avenue as he was driving his 2013 Nissan Altima, according to Pinto. He was removed from the vehicle and the execution of the search warrants began, Pinto said.

Detectives seized 518 grams of fentanyl, 29 grams of crack cocaine and 231 grams of powder cocaine, $8,000 cash and the 2013 Nissan Altima, according to Pinto.

Ricky Upchurch was charged with illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession with intent to sell over 1 ounce of heroin, illegal possession with intent to sell over ½ ounce of cocaine / free base cocaine and illegal possession of narcotics with intent to sell (third offense). He was held in lieu of a $500,000 bond with a court date of April 24.