Raid follows months of investigation, two Hartford CT men held on $50K bail

by VDC staff

A state, local and federal police raided a drug den Tuesday on Main Street in Brattleboro, netting six arrests – including two Hartford, CT men ordered held on $50,000 bail.

According to Vermont State Police, on April 14, the Vermont State Police executed a search warrant at 296 South Main St. in Brattleboro. This operation involved members of the Vermont Drug Task Force, Vermont State Police Tactical Services Unit, Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Vermont State Police Field Force Division, Vermont State Police Crisis Negotiation Unit, Vermont State Police Bomb Squad, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Brattleboro Police Department.

The execution of the search warrant stemmed from a months-long drug investigation conducted by detectives with the Vermont Drug Task Force into the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine from 296 South Main St. During the execution of the search warrant the Vermont State Police encountered multiple individuals including Jessica Spinella, Travis Caviola, Daniel Lange, and Brian Brownell, all local residents, and Mekhi Neal-Lurry and Jesus Cirino of Hartford, Connecticut.

Hartford is one of several prominent southern New England distribution hubs for fentanyl manufactured south of the U.S. border and smuggled into the country.

A search of 296 South Main St. yielded evidence of drug use, drug distribution, and a firearms offense. During a search of the residence, investigators located over 100 grams of fentanyl and several grams of cocaine base. One rifle and two handguns also were recovered, one of which was found to be stolen from Connecticut. Additional ammunition also was found throughout the house.

Cirino was charged with trafficking fentanyl, possession of fentanyl, and possession of cocaine. Neal-Lurry was charged with trafficking fentanyl, possession of fentanyl, trafficking fentanyl into Vermont, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. Cirino and Neal-Lurry were ordered held on $50,000 bail. They are due in Windham Superior Court – Criminal Division in Brattleboro on April 15.

Spinella was ordered held without bail on an active Vermont arrest warrant for prior Drug Task Force charges related to the sale of cocaine, sale of fentanyl, and conspiracy.

Caviola was issued a citation for a charge of possession of cocaine. Lange was issued a citation for charges of sale of cocaine and conspiracy. Brownell was issued a citation for possession of fentanyl. All were cited to the Windham Superior Court – Criminal Division in Brattleboro for a later date.

Any safety or health-related concerns regarding the continued habitation of the property should be directed to the Brattleboro Police Department and Brattleboro health officers, state police said.

All individuals are being prosecuted by the Windham County State’s Attorney’s Office. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-722-4600 or submit a tip anonymously via https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.