Four CT men arrested after “lengthy” investigation into drug offences

Four Waterbury residents were arrested Thursday after local, state and federal authorities executed multiple search warrants in the city and seized half a dozen firearms and several types of narcotics.

The searches were conducted around 5 a.m. at “various locations” by members of the Waterbury Police Department, the DEA and the Connecticut State Police, according to Waterbury Lt. Ryan Bessette.

Bessette said the search warrants followed a lengthy drug investigation.

According to Bessette, authorities seized six firearms, including one that had been reported stolen, as well as more than a kilo of cocaine, 1,300 bags of heroin and 142 grams of raw heroin.

Following the searches, authorities arrested 38-year-old Robert Harrison, 43-year-old Richard McDaniel, 41-year-old Kevin Gooch and 26-year-old Malik Banks.

Harrison was charged with possession of one-half ounce or more of cocaine, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, criminal possession of a pistol/revolver, criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition, theft of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and illegal sale/transfer of a firearm.

According to Bessette, Harrison is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a previous conviction for drug possession.

McDaniel is charged with possession of one ounce or more of heroin, one-half ounce or more of cocaine and operating a drug factory. Bessette said McDaniel was also prohibited from possessing weapons and ammunition because of his previous conviction for drug possession.

Gooch, who had previously been convicted of drug possession, was charged with illegal possession of a pistol/revolver, possession of one-half ounce or more of cocaine, illegal possession of a firearm/ammunition, possession of a high capacity magazine, altering the identification markings of a firearm and illegal sale or transfer of a firearm.

Banks was charged with possession of at least half an ounce of cocaine.

Harrison, McDaniel and Gooch were each held on bail of $1 million following their arrest, while Banks was held on bail of $250,000.

They were scheduled to be arraigned in Waterbury Superior Court on Friday.