Ansonia police unit makes series of drug arrests

By Register Staff

ANSONIA — The Ansonia Police Anti-Crime Unit has made several drug arrests in recent weeks, Lt. Andrew Cota said in a written release today.

The Anti-Crime Unit conducted an operation April 9 in the Wakelee Avenue area, and officers observed what they believed to be an illicit narcotics transaction.

Officers stopped a motor vehicle on Church Street and two males were detained as part of the investigation.

Cota said officers were able to locate 28 individual packets of suspected heroin that the occupants had hidden in the engine compartment.
Gregory Czel, 33, of Newtown, and Matthew Gagliardi, 26, of Naugatuck, were both charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, and conspiracy to possess narcotics. The men were released on $2,500 bail each.

  The Ansonia ACU was conducting an operation in the area of Wakelee Avenue

at approximately 3:45 p.m. April 16 when officers observed what they believed to be an illicit narcotics transaction and conducted a motor vehicle stop on Howard Avenue, Cota said.

Officers found a small amount of crack cocaine inside of the vehicle. Raymond Cianciullo, 42, of Milford, was charged with possession of narcotics and possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school.

He was released on $5,000 bail and is scheduled to appear April 30 in Derby Superior Court.

Cota said police arrested three individuals involved in an alleged drug transaction April 18 at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Root Avenue, near the GQ Food Mart. Officers from the Anti-Crime Unit observed the transaction in the area after receiving numerous complaints of drug activity from neighbors.
Tre Akeem Day, 21, of 59 Pleasant St., Ansonia, was charged with sale of marijuana, possession of less than an half-ounce of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released on $2,500 bail and is scheduled to appear May 2 in Derby Superior Court.

Eric Perez, 20, of Naugatuck, was issued an infraction for possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana.

Darryn Phillips, 21, of Ansonia, was issued an infraction for possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana.

Cota said all the arrests were a result of the Ansonia Police Department’s response to neighborhood concerns and complaints received about illicit drug sales occurring in various spots in the city.