45°
Police had been conducting surveillance as part of an investigation into 57-year-old Richard Rotante, who has prior drug sale convictions, the Stamford Advocate reported. Rotante was taken into custody on Saturday afternoon in Scalzi Park, and police found four ounces of cocaine and about $3,000 in cash in his car, according to the Stamford Advocate.
When police searched another care at Rotante's home, they found a specially built compartment with more cocaine and about $65,000 in cash, according to the Stamford Advocate. In all, police found about three and and half pounds of cocaine, the Stamford Advocate reported.
Police told the Stamford Advocate that the cocaine seized was worth about $250,000, and one of their largest seizures. More arrests are possible in the investigation, according to the Stamford Advocate.
Rotante was charged with possession of narcotics four counts of sale of narcotics, and operation of a drug factory, according to the Stamford Advocate. He was released on a $100,000 bond and will appear in court on Aug. 31.
Rotante had previously been convicted in 2006 of selling two pounds of cocaine to an FBI informant, according to the Stamford Advocate. He was part of a drug ring that included a member of the Gambino crime family, the Stamford Advocate reported.
Click here to read the Stamford Advocate story.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
