Port Chester Woman Arrested After Undercover Drug Investigation

A Port Chester woman faces a felony drug possession charge after an undercover investigation into drug activity on Sand Street, according to Port Chester police.

Lt. James Ladeairous said 20 envelopes of heroin packaged for sale were discovered when police raided the home of Joann Romanello, 55, of 24 Sand St., at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. She is being held in the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla without bail pending a hearing in Port Chester Village Court on Thursday on a charge of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

The arrest stemmed from an investigation launched by Port Chester Police detectives and Westchester County Police in August after complaints of drug sales on Sand Street. Ladeairous said the investigation, which involved confidential informants and controlled drug purchases, led to police obtaining a search warrant for Romanello's home.

Investigators spotted Romanello in the parking lot of the Pathmark store and followed her back to her home. Ladeairous said the heroin was found in the woman's bedroom.

The Sand Street investigation is continuing.