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By Michael Bielawski
A drug bust Thursday night in Bethel where nine people were arrested yielded a “grenade launcher” among numerous other firearms and hard drugs.
This involved the Vermont State Police and the Vermont Drug Task Force, who executed a search warrant on Gage Road. This occurred after an investigation into alleged cocaine and fentanyl trafficking throughout the Windsor, Chittenden, and Washington counties.
According to authorities, they found a kilogram of fentanyl and cocaine, a homemade “ghost gun”, numerous long guns, two sawed-off shotguns, a grenade launcher, and three pistols with extended magazines at the residence.
Also, animals were found in poor condition. The report states, “While executing the search warrant, investigators observed numerous animals living in unsanitary conditions. The animals were relocated to the Royalton Country Animal Hospital.”
Five of the suspects were from Vermont and another four were from Connecticut, two being from Hartford and another two from Manchester. Ages ranged from 55 to 18, with one apparent father/son duo involved from Connecticut.
Other entities that aided in the raid were the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD), Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU), Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Royalton Barracks and Westminster Barracks, along with the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office.Who’s being charged?
In all nine individuals are being charged in the Bethel raid. They are India Tweedie, age 34 of Bethel, who “was arrested on an outstanding warrant, cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and animal cruelty.” Tweedie was ordered held at Southern State Correctional Facility for an unpaid $10,000 bail. Everyone did not have bail and they all went to the same facility.
Andrea Veroneau, age 36 also of Bethel, “was arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, and violation of conditions of release.” Veroneau lacked a $25,000 bail.
Moses Gardner, age 55, of Turnbridge, was “arrested for cocaine trafficking and fentanyl trafficking. Gardner lacked a $10,000 bail.
Tyler Taitague, age 32, of Bethel, “was arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, and conspiracy.” Taigague lacked a $25,000 bail.
Matthew Gilbert, age 33, of Hartford, CT, was arrested for “cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and fugitive from justice.” Gilbert lacked a $50,000 bail.
Anthony Gunn, age 31, also of Hartford, was “arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and fugitive from justice.” Gunn lacked a $100,000 bail.
LaQuonne Thames Jr, age 18 of Manchester, CT, was “arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and violation of conditions of release.” He lacked a $50,000 bail.
LaQuonne Thames Sr. age 36 of Manchester, CT was arrested for cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. He lacked a $50,000 bail.
“Military-grade weapons for cartels?”
Although it’s not currently clear how this group obtained a grenade launcher, it has been in international news that the Mexican government is demanding investigations into drug cartels being found with these types of weapons.
“Mexico’s army is finding belt-fed machine guns, rocket launchers and grenades that are not sold for civilian use in the United States,” PBS reported in 2024.
Other drug busts
There was another drug bust by the Burlington Police and another dealer from a past drug bust is moving through the justice system.
“The execution of this operation stemmed from extensive surveillance and multiple controlled purchases of illegal drugs over the past several months,” the release states.
“Officers took Siddiq Nixon, 25, of Philadelphia, PA into custody pursuant to the investigation. A subsequent search warrant was executed at a residence in Winooski associated to Nixon where illegal drugs and evidence of drug distribution were located.”
Nixon was sent to the Northwest Correctional Facility for lack of $250,000 bail. He is facing charges for the sale of methamphetamine, the sale of cocaine, methamphetamine trafficking, cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, and methamphetamine possession.
It notes that “Nixon shows a criminal history out of Pennsylvania” that includes a conviction for carrying a firearm without a license.
The Winooski Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Winooski Housing Authority all had hands in the investigation.
Another alleged dealer in court
In July 2024, the Burlington Police Department Drug Unit, along with the BPD Emergency Response Unit and the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant in Burlington for alleged drug dealing.
Jamontay Brister, 29, of Queens, NY, was arrested. The search “yielded approximately 950 grams of cocaine base, about 150 grams of fentanyl, about $10,000 in cash, and a handgun.”
The case was forwarded to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Vermont for prosecution. The report states, “On July 18, 2024, Brister had his initial appearance and U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered that Brister be detained without bail pending trial.”
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Categories: Public Safety
Hartford, Philadelphia and Queens are still sending their finest to formerly-nice Vermont towns , and even 2 generations of LaQuonnes. Are we still supposed to ignore stereotypes? These “winter tourists” are not up here to ski.
Find a nice spot to observe traffic on I-91. Let’s use Guilford on the MA border for a good example. Then watch how many cars from MA, NY, and CT come flying through at 80, 85, or 90+ MPH. How hard would it be to have VSP out there pulling all these cars over? Yes, I know, any decent driving app gives you speed trap locations now. What they don’t give you is an unmarked VSP vehicle cruising along at 78 MPH, and that vehicle could just pull over any of these out-of-staters passing them on the pretense of “speeding”.
Yeah, you’ll pick up a good share of skiers and leaf peepers, depending on the time of year. So what? It’s income, and you’re after the bigger fish anyway.
So why is something simple and common sense like this so difficult to implement?
The tourist business is a million dollar business. Now, will we Vermonter taxpayers have to supply free housing and food for the next ten years or more for these fine tourists?????
Gee, none of those nasty “assault” rifles everyone hell bent on banning from law abiding Vermonters. Tell me, was that rocket launcher something someone picked up at a gun show?
I’m inclined to suspect reference to a “grenade launcher” akin to the M203 is purely media sensation to drive ratings. Especially since “assault weapon” no longer raises an eyebrow. At best, it’s more likely an Airsoft replica. If not, I’m taking coyote hunt’n to whole new level.
Will the Vermont progressives label our police racist for arresting these out of state “people of color”? The racist progressives have seeded drug trafficking in the Green Mountains, and it is time to right their racist wrongs against our police.
I support our police! I thank those involved for risking their lives to protect Vermonters.
I grew up in Hartford and Manchester, and I know the streets these dealers come from — it is not a game. It is a highly lucrative, ruthless, tax-free business enterprise.
Let’s send Stephanie Seguino and Sarah George on one of these drug busts so they can take first-hand responsibility for the crime they nurture. That would be true social justice!
Open season with no bag limit.
For a minute there I thought I was looking at the cast for the 1932 movie “Freaks.” But no, the actors in that film were far more attractive and wholesome than the lowlife filth in those mug shots. Just when you thought humanity had hit rock bottom, we’re reminded that the pit is bottomless.
More scum bags up from the cities, now here are some outstanding citizens by the looks……………….. Drugs & Guns I think we have strict laws against these actions.
They come to Vermont, as they know they’ll get a slap on the wrist !!
Pictures of the grenade launcher or it didn’t happen. ATF probably sold it to them if it’s “real”. Their drugs almost definitely came from the CIA somewhere along the chain.
There are infinite more of them to come here and fill in for the 5 days they spend in jail. Some of these faces have been in previous busts not too long ago.
We need to start charging all convicted criminals for the costs of these investigations and jail to get the burden 100% off of the taxpayer.
The ONLY way this will ever stop is to let legitimate industry take over the drug distribution business (aka doctor’s prescription). Use those funds to fund “healthcare” instead of criminals. Disqualify active users from all public subsidies and welfare systems (including government funded non-profits). Evict people from living in public areas. Privatize roads to shopping areas where drug users beg for money, and trespass them.
Simple and obvious fix, but will never happen.
Oh look, more gang bangers from Connecticut bringing their product up to Vermont since they know that the likes of Sarah George won’t prosecute. I’m sure the D.A. in Windsor County isn’t much better.
And look, a grenade launcher! Let me guess, more gun laws. That grenade launcher shows me that these people are law abiding citizens!!
WAKE UP, VERMONT!! Put a stop to this!
The US military grade weapons in Mexico were from Operation Fast and Furious. Also, Arizona GOP chair disclosed the cartels are operating in all 50 States in a recorded conversation a few years ago. I recall Obama emptied military warehouses and sent military grade weapons and equipment to State and city law enforcement units. Remember the tanks in Ferguson. MO? Looked to me like a rebute of Tiananmen Square. All set into motion decades ago – now we see the fruits of the seeds planted.
Thank God for the very high bails assessed in these cases, instead of the usual “released on conditions,” or “issued a citation to appear.” This is refreshing.
Perhaps this is an indicator of a fresh commitment to common sense and toughening up our criminal justice system on behalf of public safety and ending the stupid merry-go-round of catch and release.