Nearly 50 Venomous Snakes Seized In Hamden, 2 Men Arrested: Police

HAMDEN, CT — Two New Haven men have been arrested in connection with the seizure of nearly 50 venomous snakes from a warehouse in Hamden, according to officials.

A lengthy investigation by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) resulted in the seizure of 49 reptiles and multiple arrests, officials said.

The EnCon Police Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Connecticut State Police (CSP) Bureau of Special Investigations, executed a search and seizure warrant on June 24 of a warehouse in the 900 block of Sherman Avenue in Hamden.

As a result of the search warrant execution, officials said the EnCon Police seized 49 reptiles, including 46 venomous snakes, two anacondas, and one water monitor lizard.

The 46 venomous snakes recovered included:

• 2 Arizona Black Rattlesnakes
• 2 Black-tailed Rattlesnakes
• 5 Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes
• 1 Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
• 2 Mottled Rock Rattlesnakes
• 2 Neotropical Rattlesnakes
• 1 Panamint Rattlesnake
• 6 Prairie Rattlesnakes
• 4 Queretaran Dusky Rattlesnakes
• 13 Timber Rattlesnakes
• 2 Uracoan Rattlesnakes
• 2 Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes
• 1 Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Albino)
• 1 Cape Cobra
• 2 Mangrove Pit Vipers

“The recovered reptiles are considered dangerous and are prohibited to possess in Connecticut without the proper permits,” police wrote in a news release. “The reptiles were safely secured and removed by an accredited herpetologist. The illegal snakes were removed from the facility and are being stored at a licensed facility where all the reptiles went through a health screening.”

During the execution of the search-and-seizure warrant, 26-year-old Tyler Foster of New Haven was arrested on an unrelated arrest warrant issued by EnCon Police for first-degree criminal trespass. Police said the warrant was based on accusations of Foster’s presence in a prohibited area on Aug. 24, 2025. He was released on a promise to appear in court.

As a result of the search-and-seizure warrant, police said arrest warrants were obtained for the two men involved, Foster and the warehouse owner, 26-year-old Brian Roman of New Haven.

Roman turned himself in to Connecticut State Police Troop I on Thursday. He was charged with 49 counts of illegal possession of wild animal without a permit and 13 counts of taking of endangered or threatened species.

Roman was released after posting a $5,000 bond.

Foster also turned himself in and was arrested on 49 counts of illegal possession of wild animal without permit and 13 counts of taking of endangered or threatened species. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.

For more photos of the seized reptiles, visit here.