Date: Fri 31-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-drug-ring-Musolino

Full Text:

Investigation Of Area Drug Ring Brings Arrests

(with photo)

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Working as the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, several area law enforcement

agencies have lodged almost 40 criminal charges against a dozen area residents

who allegedly were involved in a major narcotics ring in western Connecticut.

Police said they expect more arrests in the ongoing investigation.

One Sandy Hook man was among those charged in the case, according to State

Police Captain Peter Warren, the commanding officer of the task force.

Captain Warren, Brookfield Police Chief John Anderson, New Milford Police

Captain Norbert Lillis, and Danbury Detective Captain Mitchell Weston

disclosed the results of their agencies' joint investigation into the

narcotics ring at a July 23 press conference in Brookfield.

During March, the task force and Danbury detectives started an investigation

into the activities of Daniel J. Musolino, 39, of 137 Davenport Road, Roxbury,

revealing that Musolino and his suspected associates regularly dealt large

amounts of cocaine throughout the greater Danbury, Brookfield, Roxbury, and

New Milford areas, according to Captain Warren.

During the investigation, task force and Danbury detectives made several

controlled purchases of cocaine, the captain said.

On May 21, the task force and Danbury police, assisted by Brookfield and New

Milford police, placed three court-ordered wiretaps on Musolino that had been

approved by the Assistant State's Attorney Frank Maco in Litchfield, according

to Capt Warren.

Those wiretaps resulted in police discovering many people who were part of

Musolino's cocaine distribution network in Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven

counties, according to the captain.

Twelve court-ordered search-and-seizure warrants resulted in the seizure of

more than two kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $480,000; more than

four kilograms of marijuana with a street value of almost $34,000; a marijuana

cultivation operation; seven firearms, including four semi-automatic weapons;

$6,000 in cash; drug records, computers and five motor vehicles. The five

vehicles have a combined value of more than $125,000.

The narcotics task force is assembled, as needed, from various police

departments throughout the state to make specific drug investigations. Newtown

police are routinely included in task force activities.

Unlike many drug rings, the operation allegedly run by Musolino functioned on

various levels, supplying drugs to people in business, contractors, mid-level

narcotics dealers, and individuals who wanted drugs for their own personal

use, according to police. The people charged in the drug bust are those who

normally wouldn't come into contact with law enforcement personnel.

Police explained that Musolino operated a firewood business in the Danbury

area which created a cover for his drug sales.

Captain Warren explained that Musolino has been held as a prisoner by the

state Department of Correction on a $250,000 bond since June 4 because he

hasn't been able to post the bond on the charges against him.

Police stopped Musolino on Route 7 in Brookfield June 4 and seized cocaine and

a handgun.

Musolino Charges

Charges pending against Musolino include 14 criminal counts: two counts of

possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession

of marijuana, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of

more than one ounce of cocaine, possession of more than four ounces of

marijuana, operating a drug factory, cultivation of marijuana, possession of

marijuana with intent to sell, two counts of risk of injury to a minor, and

distribution of narcotics.

Christine Musolino, 35, also of 137 Davenport Road, Roxbury, who is Daniel

Musolino's wife, was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics,

possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent

to sell, and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.

Others charged in the wide-ranging investigation were from Danbury,

Ridgefield, New Milford, Brookfield, and Sandy Hook.

State police charged William Caprio, 39, of 118 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook

with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug

paraphernalia.