A Ridgefield Police detective busted three people Tuesday night with cocaine and heroin in Route 7 parking lot near the intersection of Route 35.
Police arrested Christopher Ruggiero, 30, of Waterbury for possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and a having weapon, which Capt. Jeff Kreitz said was a knife, in his vehicle. Kevin Fleischmann, 27, and Katherine Saleeby, 23, of Westport were also arrested for possession of narcotics.
“We don’t know where they were going to sell it, but the detective was conducting surveillance on the parking lot and witnessed the exchange in progress,” Capt. Kreitz said. “He found 69 packets of heroin and 45 grams of cocaine packaged in separate bags.”
An unknown quantity of prescription drugs were also found in one of the vehicles, he added.
“It’s an excellent arrest,” Capt. Kreitz said. “A significant quantity of drugs.”
He estimated the heroin to be worth $20 a packet on the street — more than $1,300 in value.
He added the cocaine is valued between $40 and $50 per gram on the street — around $2,000 in value.
Capt. Kreitz said that there were multiple vehicle involved in the incident, which occurred around 8:45, but couldn’t confirm any other details about the exchange.
“The detective was keeping an eye on that parking lot last night,” he said. “He picked up on some suspicious activity that was going on there.”
Mr. Ruggiero was released on a $50,000 bond and will appear in court on April 16.
Mr. Fleischmann and Ms. Saleeby were both released on a $500 bond and will appear in court on April 16.