A West Hartford Man is in custody on drug charges as part of a joint investigation between Vernon Police and federal authorities, police said on Friday.
The arrest of Rosario Lappostato, 53, of 80 Kane Street, Apt. D5, West Hartford, was carried out on Tuesday, but the formal charges were announced on Friday after some investigative matters were completed, police said.
The charges filed against Lappostato were the culmination of a long-term investigation into his alleged illegal drug activity, Vernon police said in a news release.
Lappostato was taken into custody after a traffic stop by a Vernon canine unit and Vernon Detectives, during which Lappostato was found to be in possession of about 1 ounce of cocaine, which has a street value of about $1,200, police said.
Lappostato also had components of a drug factory, including a scale and boxes of plastic sandwich bags, police said.
Investigators seized Lappostato’s 2002 Chevrolet pick-up truck and executed search warrants at Lappostato's residence in West Hartford and a shed in Vernon, police said.
Lappostato was charged with narcotics possession; possession with intent to sell narcotics, or PWITS; operating a drug factory; possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of school, day care or public housing complex; PWITS within 1,500 feet of school/day care/public housing complex; possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; and failure to have his vehicle's lights on.
He was being held at a state facility on a $100,000.00 bond, police said. Police did not release any court information and said the invesgigation is ongoing.
