Bridgeport Woman, 26, Charged In East Haven, Feds Drug Investigation Where Fentanyl, Cocaine Seized: EHPD

EAST HAVEN, CT — An East Haven narcotics investigation led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Bridgeport woman after investigators seized a “significant quantity of suspected fentanyl and cocaine" from a car in a local parking lot, police said.

East Haven Police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said the investigation began after police received information about suspected narcotics sales occurring in the center district of town.

The investigation was conducted jointly by East Haven Police Department detectives and patrol officers, along with Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI Task Force officers, he said. During the investigation, detectives identified a vehicle they believed was associated with the reported drug activity, according to Murgo.

On Aug. 6, investigators saw the car and “observed a brief interaction” in the Stop & Shop parking lot at 370 Hemingway Ave. that they believed was consistent with a street-level narcotics transaction, Murgo said.

Investigators approached the individuals involved and identified the vehicle's operator as Candace Rogers, 26, of Bridgeport, Murgo said.

According to police, Rogers was detained, and investigators subsequently recovered a significant quantity of suspected narcotics from inside the vehicle, the police captain said. He said investigators seized a digital scale, packaging materials, two cellular phones, and a large amount of U.S. currency.

The suspected narcotics seized included:

• Approximately 125 grams of suspected fentanyl
• Approximately 67.5 grams of suspected crack cocaine
• Approximately 36.4 grams of suspected powder cocaine

Police said Rogers was taken into custody without incident and was charged with three counts of narcotics sale, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, and use of drug paraphernalia.

Booked at the East Haven Police Department, she later was released on a $150,000 surety bond, according to police, and is due in New Haven Superior Court, Aug. 19.