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Nineteen people were arrested and charged today with running a large-scale drug operation in southwestern Connecticut and New York City. Nine of those arrested are Norwalk residents, and six live in Stamford. The charges stem from the Drug Enforcement Administration's four month long investigation dubbed Operation Hammertime. The Norwalk Police Departments Special Services Squad and the Stamford Police Departments Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad assisted in the investigation which included court-authorized wiretaps. The wiretaps identified the large drug-trafficking organization, allegedly headed by Norwalk resident Gavin Hammett.
At the time of the arrests, law enforcement officers seized more than one kilo of cocaine, over 200 grams of crack cocaine, multiple bundles of heroin, over $100,000 in cash, seven vehicles and one firearm.
Arrested were: Gavin Hammett, 45, of Ely Ave., Norwalk; Wayne Best, 43, of San Vincenzo, Norwalk; Wilbert Brown, 58, of S. Main St., Norwalk; Tracey Downing, 41, of Burritt Ave., Norwalk; Darryl Files, 42, of Leon Place, Stamford; Frank Green, Sr., 45, of Amelia Pl., Stamford; Michael Hammett, 29, of Lawn Ave., Stamford; Charles Handy, 43, Stamford; Lorenzo Jones, 46, of Ludlow St., Stamford; Terrence McNichol, 35, of Clinton St., Bridgeport; Andre Messam, 35, of Orchard St., Norwalk; Mark Samas, 38, 104 Hansen St., Bridgeport; Robert Singleton, 56, of N. Main St., Norwalk; Joe Smalls, 37, of Claremore Ct., Norwalk; Robert Treglia, 46, of N. Taylor Ave., Norwalk; Joseph Vanbrackle, 74, of Lawn Ave., Stamford; Massiel Vargas, 39, of Ely Ave., Norwalk; and Luis LNU (last name unknown), of Eastburn Ave., Bronx, NY. If convicted, Hammett and Vargas face a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum term of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $4 million.
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