Stamford's Growing Heroin Problem

A 61-year-old Stamford woman was charged Wednesday evening after police said she was found to be in possession of a considerable amount of methadone and heroin. The woman's arrest marks the sixth arrest in just over a week involving a large quantity of heroin within city limits, according to police. 

Norma Campolunghi, formerly known as Norma Lucas and Norma Rosa, of Martin Street, was arrested following an investigation by the Narcotics & Organized Crime Division, Conklin said. 

The captain said information was developed that Campolunghi was going to be making a delivery of drugs on the in the parking lot of the West Avenue PetSmart. When she arrived, waiting authorities conducted a traffic stop. 

According to Conklin, Campolunghi was wearing a fanny pack containing $2,755 in cash, 81 folds of heroin valued at approximately $20-a-piece, and 53 methadone pills and 59 methadone pills of separate strengths. 

A search of Campolunghi's home turned up seven additional folds of heroin in the room of her 38-year-old son, Arthur Lucas, Conklin said. 

While Lucas was charged with possession of narcotics and released on a Promise To Appear, Campolunghi was charged with possession of narcotics, sale of certain illegal drugs, possession of a controlled substance and dispensing of a controlled substance and held on a $25,000 bond. 

Conklin said heroin has been making a resurgence in the region over the last year or so, but more recently police have been finding it a prevalent issue as they fight crime in a city as large as Stamford. He called said dealers are finding a profitable "cottage industry" here. 

"They're going to New York City for heroin and returning to sell it in Stamford," Conklin said. "It's pre-stamped and pre-packaged in New York City for much cheaper."

Conklin said a rise in purity of the drug has allowed it to become something users can snort, a trend that opens it up to a wider market. He said users who might be turned off at the idea of intravenously needing to use the drug might find the easier act of snorting it more satisfactory. Previously at maybe 6-percent purity, the drug can be found in the 80 or 90-percent range now. 

"You build up a tolerance to it. Maybe a 10-bag-a-day habit turns into a 12-bag-a-day habit. It's an extremely addictive drug, even through snorting," Conklin said. 
"That's always a problem. Developing an addiction can propel you to a life of crime. Almost all the prostitution cases we see, they're doing it for crack or heroin. Burglars, as well. Armed robberies. It's a regional issue, not just Stamford, but our population and demographic are probably affected more."

On Thursday, July 18, three men were allegedly busted during a traffic stop out front of Sacred Heart Church with 350 bags of "True Religion"-stamped heroin in their car. 

On Tuesday, July 23, Justine Fernandez-Martinez, 27, of Franklin Street and Miguel Angel Vazquez, 43, of Alden Street, were charged with a slew of possession and conspiracy charges when they allegedly took a trip to New York City for heroin and were stopped on their return in the vicinity of North Street and Summer Street. With the couple was their 4-year-old daughter. 

Also with them, according to Conklin, was a Hello Kitty-brand book bag filled with the child's toys and accessories—and 72 glassine envelopes of heroin branded "914," $323 in cash and a set of brass knuckles. 

They were each charged with possession of narcotics, sale of certain illegal drugs, carrying a dangerous weapon, conspiracy charges for each of those counts and risk of injury to a child. They both face a court date of August 6. Vazquez was held in lieu of a $20,000 bond. Fernandez-Martinez was released on a Promise To Appear as there was no one else to care for the child, though the Division of Children and Families has been notified of the situation. 

Also arrested Tuesday, July 23, was Robert Baxter Bracey, 47, of Orchard Street. He allegedly attempted to discard 83 bags of heroin, 43 marked "Awesome," 40 marked "Plan B," during a foot pursuit near the Bedford Street parking garage. On his person, Conklin said they allegedly found $932. 

On Wednesday, July 24, police responding to reports of a dispute on Fairfield Avenue allegedly found Angle Pagan, 47, in a dispute over a parking spot there. He had allegedly called up to his 20-year-old son, Luis Miguel Pagan, at his Fairfield Avenue address, who came down to the dispute from the third floor, armed with a handgun. 

Police said the ensuing investigation led to the recovery of a .25 caliber Raven semi-automatic handgun, 51 rounds of ammunition, 300 bags of heroin, 1.5 ounces of marijuana and $3,500 in cash. The elder Pagan was found to be on parole for narcotics charges out of New York and was held in lieu of a $150,000 bond. The younger Pagan was held in lieu of $50,000. They face charges ranging from possession, intent to sell and operation of a drug factory to threatening, first-degree reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon.