Simultaneous Raids In Middletown, Portland Lead To Drug, Gun Charges

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A long investigation into drug activity in central Connecticut led to the arrest of a trio of suspected dealers after simultaneous raids Thursday, police said.

On Thursday, Detectives from the Middletown Police Department Street Crime Unit and Portland Police Department executed three search warrants simultaneously at two Middletown residences and one Portland business, according to a news release. The warrants were obtained as result of an investigation lasting several months into the ongoing sales of narcotics in Portland and Middletown, according to a news release.

During the execution of the warrants, detectives located a large amount of cocaine, prescription pills, drug paraphernalia, and numerous illegal firearms and firearms parts, according to a news release.

A news release outlined the subsequent arrests:

• James Moore Jr., 32, of Middletown, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to sell. He was issued a court date of July 6 and held on a $125,000 surety bond.

• Lauren Reynolds, 30, of Middletown, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to sell. She was issued a court date of July 6and held on a $125,000 surety bond.

• Michael Moore, 30, of Middletown, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (3 counts), possession with intent to sell (3 counts), interfering with a search warrant, illegal possession of a large-capacity magazine (15 counts), illegal possession of an assault weapon (5 counts) and failure to obtain a serial number on a firearm (2 counts). He was issued a court date of July 6 and held on a $850,000 surety bond.