A pound of cocaine, fentanyl and more seized in Norwalk drug raid

NORWALK —Investigators raided the home of a “significant narcotics trafficker” and seized more than 750 grams of cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs, according to police spokesman Lt. Terry Blake.

Police apprehended the suspected trafficker, Domenico Sandalo, 45, during a tactical raid at his Mohackemo Drive home Thursday afternoon.

Blake said investigators recovered 46 fentanyl pills, 77 oxycodone pills, 750 grams of cocaine, 15 pounds of marijuana, 771 THC vape cartridges, multiple vials of human growth hormones and other assorted steroids, and $53,943 in cash.

At the time of the raid, police found Sandalo engaged in a drug transaction with Ioannis Papachristou, 37, according to a press release.

“Both men were immediately taken into custody and Papachristou was found to be in possession of marijuana and THC Vape cartridges,” the press release said.

Papachristou, 37, of Ferris Avenue, Norwalk, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana. He was released on a promise to appear in court on June 17.

Sandalo was charged with operating a drug factory, sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, failure to keep a narcotic in its original container and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held on $500,000 bond and given a court date of June 17.

The arrests were the culmination of a joint operation between Norwalk Special Services Division, the Stamford Police Department Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, and the DEA.