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The car was searched Friday evening after officers from the Special Investigations Division and the Community Conditions Unit obtained search-and-seizure warrants for the home and vehicle of Jose O. Garcia, 57, of 170 ½ Osborne St., Danbury, police said.
Officers had spent several weeks investigating Garcia and believed he was selling heroin from his home and throughout the city, using his vehicle to deliver the drugs, police said.
At 6:17 p.m. Friday, officers stopped Garcia while he was driving on White Street, police said. During a search of the car, officers found Garcia and his passenger, Catherine Lodato, 53, were in possession of heroin packaged for sale, police said. A further search of the car found a hidden compartment that contained more heroin packaged for sale, police said.
While searching his home, officers found a substantial quantity of unpackaged heroin, heroin packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia and thousands of dollars in cash, police said.
Both Garcia and Lodato, were placed under arrest and transported to the police department.
Garcia was charged with possession of narcotics (heroin), possession of narcotics with intent to sell of less than 1 ounce; possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of narcotics with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drug paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of a school, police said. He was held on $250,000 bond.
Catherine Lodato, of 30 Crosby St., No. 419, Danbury, was charged with possession of narcotics (heroin) and released on a written promise to appear, police said.
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