On Saturday, February 1, 2025, at approximately 10:00a.m., members of the Statewide Urban Violence Cooperative Crime Control Task Force, Statewide Narcotics Task Force, Bridgeport Regional Task Force, FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Bridgeport Police Emergency Services executed a search warrant at a residence on Noble Ave in Bridgeport.
The warrant was a result of an extensive investigation into the illicit narcotics sales, specifically of fentanyl and crack cocaine, which was believed to be taking place in the basement of the residence. The operation identified Joel Huertas (DOB: 07/17/1991) as a key figure in the illegal distribution of narcotics, with Anibel Torres Jr. (DOB: 07/20/1985) also being involved in the distribution.
While conducting their investigation, detectives located Torres Jr. walking on Shelton Street in Bridgeport. Upon spotting law enforcement officers, he attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended and detained in handcuffs. Initially, Torres Jr. provided detectives with a false name, but later admitted he had attempted to conceal his identity to avoid discovery of several active arrest warrants. A search incident to arrest revealed that Torres Jr. was in possession of a wax fold containing a white powdery substance, as well as a two-way portable radio. The radio was later confirmed to used for communication with Huertas. Both items were seized and later submitted as evidence.
During the execution of the search warrant, detectives located Huertas hiding in the basement. He had attempted to evade detection by concealing himself underneath a couch in the corner of the room. They also found that the basement could only be entered through a hatchway, which was accessible exclusively from the outside.
Additionally, detectives located and seized several items, which were subsequently submitted as evidence:
35.6 grams of a white powdery substance (suspected to be fentanyl)
235.7 grams of a white rock-like substance (suspected to be crack cocaine)
a two-way portable radio (which was found to be on the same channel as the radio which was seized from Torres Jr.)
$3,762 in U.S. currency
Based on the investigation detailed above, Huertas and Torres Jr. were both arrested and transported to Troop G for processing.
Huertas was charged with the following violations:
C.G.S. 21a-277(c) - Operation of Drug Factory
C.G.S. 21a-278(b(1A* - Possession of Narcotic Substance w/ Intent to Sell
C.G.S. 21a-278a(b) - Penalty for Illegal Manufacture, Distribution, Sale, Prescription or Administration
C.G.S. 53a-155 - Tampering w/ Physical Evidence
Huertas was assigned a $100,000 bond, which he was able to post. He is scheduled for arraignment at Bridgeport Superior Court on 02/18/2025.
Torres Jr. was charged with the following violations:
C.G.S. 21a-277(c) - Operation of Drug Factory
C.G.S. 53a-48/21a-277(c) - Conspiracy to Commit/Operation of Drug Factory
C.G.S. 21a-278(b(1A* - Possession of Narcotic Substance w/ Intent to Sell
C.G.S. 53a-48/21a-278(b(1A* - Conspiracy to Commit/Possession of Narcotic Substance w/ Intent to Sell
C.G.S. 21a-278a(b) - Penalty for Illegal Manufacture, Distribution, Sale, Prescription or Administration
C.G.S. 53a-167* - Hindering Prosecution, 3rd Degree
Torres Jr. was assigned a $100,000 bond, which he was unable to post. He is scheduled for arraignment at Bridgeport Superior Court on 02/03/2025.
Please see the attached criminal information summary.
