Cocaine, 'uncut' heroin, $900 seized at Norwalk home

Three suspects were arrested early Friday when the Norwalk Police Department seized suspected crack and powdered cocaine, "uncut" heroin and almost $900 in cash and change at a local residence.

"This was about a three-month investigation," Detective Sgt. Jim Fulton said.

The detective bureau and special response team (SRT) handled the incident at 13 Marian Drive. Detectives received assistance from the Bellevue and Willard police departments.

"We had received information that drug activity was going on there," Fulton said. The eight-member SRT made entry about 4:15 a.m.

"Once everybody was secured, we searched the residence. We collected 30 to 40 items of evidence," Fulton said.

Andrew F. Olaniyan, 40, of 13 Marian Drive, was charged with one count each of possession of heroin, a second-degree felony; possession of cocaine, a third-degree felony; and possession of criminal tools. Fulton said there was 10 to 50 grams of heroin and 10 to 20 grams of cocaine.

Fulton said police arrested Olaniyan a few years ago in connection with similar incident in an upstairs apartment on Cline Street.

"He's a known drug trafficker. He has prior (felony) convictions," the detective added.

Olaniyan's brother, Adewale A. Olaniyan, 38, also of 13 Marian Drive, was arrested on a probation violation through Huron County Common Pleas Court. He wasn't charged in connection with the drug bust.

"He is on probation for a prior drug conviction," Detective Sgt. Seth Fry said.

In early August, Olaniyan was released early from prison into a locked-down substance abuse treatment center. He was convicted of possessing cocaine during a May 26, 2013 incident and about a year later, received an 11-month prison term.

Defense attorney Tom Nicholson had said his client had an ongoing pattern of going to a bar, getting drunk and then getting into fights.

"It's not an unbreakable pattern -- don't go out to bars," Judge Jim Conway said in response.

Olaniyan spent three years in prison for a 1995 robbery conviction.

On Friday, Burl "Frank" Staley, 39, also of 13 Marian Drive, was charged with possession of heroin.

"There probably will be additional charges on him once everything is sorted out," Fulton said.

In addition to the suspected drugs, police seized

$869.75, which included about $89 in change.

"There was a big bag of heroin uncut. That was more than half-an-ounce in the bag," Fulton said. Police also had at least one vehicle towed from the scene and could be subject to forfeiture.

All three suspects were arrested without incident. Fulton said they didn't have time to destroy or hide evidence.

A woman was at the residence, but she wasn't arrested.

"I believe both of them will be charged," Fulton said, referring to the woman and Adewale Olaniyan.

 

Originally published in the Norwalk Reflector on April 12, 2015.

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