Three bodegas were closed after Hartford police cracked down on the sales of illegal pills, including Viagra, anxiety medication, opioids and more, throughout the city.
Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley said the Hartford Police Vice and Narcotics unit raided several bodegas around the city as part of the operation Tuesday morning and the Los Cubanitos Market, at 206 Park St., Salcedo Grocery, at 1022 Broad St., and Jordi Grocery, at 1053 Capitol Ave., were selling prescription pills during their regular business hours.
Detectives executed search warrants at each location and seized a total of 647 prescription pills and $1,743 in cash. Three people were arrested, police said.
Police seized 156 Viagra pills, Ampitrex, Alprazolam, which is used to treat anxiety; Zolpidem, a sedative that is used to treat insomnia; Acetaminophen and oxycodone, a pain medication; Mintazapine, an antidepressant; Clonazepam, an anti-epileptic drug; Roxicet, an opioid pain medication made with acetaminophen and oxycodone; and Acetaminophen and Tramadol, a potent pain reliever.
Henry Depena, 49, was charged with possession of prescription, possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell controlled substance and failure to keep prescription drugs in container.
Carmen Villa, 24, of Hartford, and Pablo Evangelista, 53, of Hartford, were charged with possession of prescription.
