West Hartford Police and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force executed a warrant Thursday and seized a large quantity of drugs, six guns, and a large sum of cash.

By Ronni Newton

A West Hartford man was arrested Thursday by warrant and faces a slew of drug and weapons charges following an investigation by the West Hartford Police Department Community Support Unit (CSU) and the FBI Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force (NCGTF) that has been underway since the beginning of 2025.

According to West Hartford Police Lt. Ryan Riley, an investigation into illicit drug activities in town determined that the suspect, identified as Mathew Cruz, 35, had been distributing illegal narcotics, including fentanyl and crack cocaine, from his residence.

Police did not provide Cruz’s address, but did confirm to We-Ha.com that it was in the Elmwood section of West Hartford.

Matthew Cruz. Courtesy of West Hartford Police

A search and seizure warrant was executed at Cruz’s resident on Thursday, March 27, Riley said, and police discovered a large quantity of narcotics as well as processing and packaging materials, six firearms, and a large sum of money. Police said in addition to the firearms, the following was seized:

• 14,371 wax sleeves of fentanyl
• 385.10 grams of loose fentanyl
• 209.6 grams of “crack” cocaine
• 23.2 grams of powder cocaine
• 60.6 grams of loose heroin
• Approximately 120,000 empty/unused wax fentanyl sleeves
• A large sum of U.S. currency.

Cruz, who according to online court records appears to have been convicted and served several years in prison in connection with charges of possession with intent to sell, was charged Thursday with four counts of possession of narcotics (subsequent offense), possession with intent to sell more than 1 ounce of heroin, three counts of possession of narcotics with intent to sell (subsequent offense), use of drug paraphernalia, operation of a drug factory, six counts of criminal possession of a firearm, illegal alteration of a firearm (serial number), and risk of injury/impairing the morals of a child.

Cruz remained in custody on $1,500,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Friday. His next court date is May 8, online court documents indicate.

Anyone who has information regarding this incident, or other similar incidents, is asked please contact the West Hartford Police Department through the anonymous tip line 860-570-8969 or email [email protected].

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