Stratford police: 5 people arrested in drug factory bust at Success Village

It happened around 6:30 a.m. Friday when the department’s Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit busted into apartment 128 on Court D in Bridgeport just over the Stratford line.

Marissa Alter

Nov 11, 2024, 9:49 PM

Updated 30 days ago

Share:

Five people have been arrested after Stratford police raided a drug factory that was operating out of an apartment at Success Village, according to police.
It happened around 6:30 a.m. Friday when the department’s Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit busted into apartment 128 on Court D in Bridgeport just over the Stratford line.
Capt. Jerry Pinto said a month-long investigation that started in Stratford led them to that unit, where officers executed a search warrant and found a myriad of narcotics, plus packaging materials.
“There was fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy, and PCP,” Pinto explained.
He said police also found large capacity magazines and ammunition, along with $1,126 in cash. It resulted in the arrests of three men and two women.
“These people were dealing narcotics in broad daylight. We received that intelligence, and we acted upon it, and those people are now in custody, and we move on to the next,” Pinto stated.
Andre Seabury, Willie Parks and Russell Lemke are each charged with criminal possession of ammunition, possession of a large capacity magazine, illegal possession with intent to sell narcotics, and illegal operation of a drug factory.
Seabury, 34, is also charged with intention to sell a hallucinogen and violation of conditions of release, along with two counts of failure to appear for outstanding warrants.
Parks, 39, also faces additional charges of illegal possession of narcotics and illegal possession of a hallucinogen.
Police also arrested Shelia Ayala, 38, on charges of illegal use of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of narcotics, illegal possession of a hallucinogen and two counts of failure to appear for outstanding warrants.
Celynda Watford, 26, was charged with two counts of failure to appear based on outstanding warrants.
People who live at Success Village didn't want to go on camera because of safety concerns but told News 12 the apartment that was raided was a known drug den.
The bust was the result of information from the public and intelligence gathered by NVI detectives, according to Pinto.
“The NVI Unit consists of about six people downstairs. They're a very proactive unit, very happy with their progress,” he stated.
The group called in about 15 officers from the Bridgeport Police Task Force and the DEA's Office in Bridgeport to help carry out the raid.
“We work together on a daily basis. It works out very well,” explained Pinto.