Drug Factory in New London Dismantled: State Police

Two people are in custody and a drug factory has been dismantled following a search warrant operation in New London.

For several months, members of the State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force – East Field Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the New London Police Vice and Intelligence Unit conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization based primarily in New London.

The group was involved in the trafficking of crack cocaine and heroin, state police said in a prepared statement.

On the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Task Force served a search warrant and an arrest warrant at 108 Connecticut Ave., New London.

The residence was searched and the people inside identified. Two men were taken into custody, processed and held on bond, pending their court date.

Rakim Thornton, 24, of 25 Jay St., New London, was arrested on the following charges:

• Possession of Narcotics
• Possession of Narcotics within 1,500-feet of a school

He was issued a $2,500 bond and a Jan. 13 court date.

Kenneth Barnhill, 31, of 15 Clover Court, New London, was arrested on the following charges:

• Possession of Narcotics
• Possession of Crack Cocaine
• Illegal Sale of Crack Cocaine
• Possession of Crack Cocaine within 1500 feet of a school
• Interfering with a Search
• Destruction of Evidence
• Operating a Drug Factory

He was issued a $100,00 bond and a Jan. 13 court date.

The Statewide Narcotics Task Force East Field Office is comprised of state troopers and police officers from Norwich, Groton Town, Groton City, New London, Waterford and the DEA.

Anyone with information regarding illegal narcotic activity in eastern Connecticut is asked to call the Statewide Narcotic Task Force – East Field Office, at (860) 442-9491.

All calls will remain confidential. You can also anonymously Text “TIP711” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). All calls/texts will remain confidential.

(Photos, left to right: Rakim Thornton and Kenneth Barnhill)