School Bus Drivers Face Charges Following Heroin Raid

Two South Windsor school bus drivers are on unpaid administrative leave after allegedly operating an illegal drug business, Eyewitness News reports.

Jorge Aviles, 28, and Ashley Byrdsong, 30, face charges of operating a drug factory and three counts of risk of injury to a minor. They were arrested following drug raids in Manchester and Vernon, police said, and held on separate $150,000 surety bonds.

Officials raided Byrdsong’s home on Oakland Street Thursday, where they found nearly 300 bags of heroin, almost $200 cash, materials used for packaging the illegal substance and a gun. Police stopped Aviles in his car leaving the home and said he also had a handgun.

Both drivers work for DATTCO Inc., which said there were no indications that the drivers’ actions affected students or other employees.

“At no time were our student passengers or employees at risk due to these drivers’ off-duty behavior,” DATTCO said in a statement on Friday. “We strive for the highest degree of safety and professionalism among our drivers, and continue our commitment to full compliance with all safety regulations and the required background screenings.”

Alives is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Friday, and Byrdsong is due at Manchester Superior Court.

Read the full story at Eyewitness News.

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