100 Heroin Packets Seized During Manchester Surveillance

A surveillance operation outside the Manchester Inn, 100 East Center St., Manchester, resulted in two arrests Wednesday, May 14.

The East Central Narcotics Taskforce, with assistance from the Manchester Police Patrol Division and the Police Area Representative Unit, was stationed near the inn around 7:10 p.m.

Taskforce members received information that heroin was being distributed and consumed in and around the address. During the operation, Manchester police said a suspicious vehicle with New York passenger plates entered the parking lot, parked briefly and then exited the parking area at a high rate of speed.  

As the vehicle entered the intersection of East Center Street at Madison Street, it cut off another vehicle that was traveling east on East Center Street, according to police. The driver continued operating in an allegedly reckless manner until being stopped by marked patrol unit in the area of Main Street at Strant Street, Manchester police said.

Lambert Walcott  Jr., 23, of 541 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, was the driver of the vehicle, according to police. The passenger was Deborah Bennett, 24, of 108 Adams St., Hartford.

When officers stopped the vehicle and approached, they reported a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle.

Taskforce officers located and seized 1.49 grams of marijuana and 100 packets of heroin at a street value of $700.

According to police, Walcott has a past criminal history in Connecticut, including arrests on illegal weapons charges and numerous motor vehicle violations.  

Walcott  was arrested on the following charges and issued a $250,000 surety bond.

• Criminal attempt at the sale of heroin
• Possession of heroin with intent to sell
• Possession of narcotics with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school
• Interfering with police
• Operation of motor vehicle under suspension
• Reckless driving
• Stop sign violation

Bennett was arrested on the following charges and issued a $50,000 surety bond.

• Criminal attempt at sale of heroin
• Possession of heroin with intent to sell

The East Central Narcotics Taskforce, in cooperation with other municipal and federal law enforcement agencies, is interested in stopping illegal narcotics sales and use in the Manchester, South Windsor, and Glastonbury communities.