A New Haven man was charged with selling crack cocaine to undercover officers Tuesday.
Detectives assigned to the State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force were eating lunch at a restaurant on Chapel Street just after noon when they were approached by a panhandler offering drugs. The man told the detectives he could get them drugs in exchange for some beer and money, according to police.
The officers agreed to the deal and the panhandler quickly made a phone call, police said. A short time later, a man showed up on a bicycle and made the deal with one of the undercover officers.
Police quickly arrested 24-year-old Richard Wells. Officers found 17 bags of crack on Wells, along with four bags of marijuana and $102 in cash, according to police. He faces a number of charges, including possession of a narcotic substance with intent to sell, possession of a narcotic substance within 1,500 feet of a school and sale of a narcotic substance.
The panhandler was not arrested pending further investigation.
