By Guy Page

A coordinated law enforcement operation led by the Burlington Police Department and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) resulted in the Tuesday morning, City Hall Park arrest of a Burlington resident from Philadephia, PA. The arrest marks what police say is a significant development in an ongoing investigation into suspected drug trafficking in the area.

For several years, Burlington area police have been facing an infusion of drugs and drug dealers from the Philadelphia area. VDC and BDN readers are familiar with headlines like this one from January, 2023: Philadelphia – Burlington drug ring busted. Furthermore, a caller to a morning talk show last week cited personal knowledge of a causal link between Vermont’s generous low-income subsidies to new arrivals with the growth of the drug trade in the Burlington area.

Badeau has a history of crime in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. In 2018, he and two other Philadelphia men were arrested in a series of thefts in the Springfield and Jenkintown area – northern suburbs of Philadelphia. On December 1, 2023, Badeau, then of nearby Willow Grove, was arrested by Upper Moreland police for “sending unwanted threatening messages to another person that caused the victim to fear for their safety.”

At 10:30 AM on September 30, officers from the Burlington Police Department’s Drug Unit, Emergency Response Unit, and members of the DEA executed a planned operation in the downtown park. The arrest follows weeks of investigative work, including multiple controlled drug purchases carried out by undercover officers since late August.

During the operation, police apprehended Aaron Badeau, 35, of Burlington. Badeau was found in possession of a felony quantity of suspected crack cocaine, which was pre-packaged in gram and sub-gram amounts—indicating distribution intent, according to police.

Following Badeau’s arrest, authorities executed a state-authorized search warrant at a residence within Decker Towers that Badeau had reportedly been using as part of his illicit operation. Additional quantities of illegal narcotics were seized from the residence.

In a statement, the Burlington Police Department emphasized that this arrest is part of a larger effort to disrupt and dismantle local drug operations that threaten public safety.

“This case highlights the continued efforts of the Burlington Police Department and our federal partners to address drug-related crime in our community,” the department said. “We remain committed to ensuring that public spaces like City Hall Park are safe and free from illegal activity.”

Authorities also credited community members for playing a vital role in ongoing enforcement efforts and encouraged the public to continue reporting suspicious activity.

The investigation remains active, and additional charges may be filed. Badeau is expected to face arraignment in Chittenden County Superior Court. 

Philadelphia drug dealers attracted by Vermont’s welfare services, caller says – A caller to the WVMT Morning Drive show last month said she has personal knowledge of the link between to Vermont’s generous subsidies and Philadelphia drug dealers moving to Vermont. VDC reported September 29:

“Back to the topic of attracting people from out of state or other places,” the caller said. “I have an anecdotal story. My family and I did foster care for ten years, a few years back, and our last foster child was a child whose mother was trafficking drugs between Vermont and Philadelphia.”

She said that she had discussions with her about why she chose Vermont.

“She told me that she was not able to get Section 8 housing in Philadelphia, but she could very easily get it here in Vermont.”

She also talked about how drug dealers from Philadelphia saw potential for new sales in the Green Mountain state.

“She said it was very easy to get it here, and there were lots of support services here that she was able to take advantage of that she couldn’t get in Philadelphia,” she said. “She also told me that the drug dealers in her area of Philadelphia saw Vermont as very ripe, fertile ground for drugs. So it was very shocking for me to hear that kind of information.”