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Norwalk Man Charged With Trying To Sell Opioid-Laced Crack; 7 ODs Reported

NORWALK, Conn. — A man fought with officers as he was arrested on charges of trying to sell Fentanyl-laced crack cocaine on Saturday, the same day that the Norwalk Police Department dealt with seven overdoses— two of them fatal, police said. 

Eric Frank

Eric Frank

Photo Credit: Norwalk Police Department

At 9 p.m. Saturday, Eric Frank was arrested during an undercover drug buy by members of the Norwalk Police Department's Special Services Division with assistance from the Patrol Division, police said. 

Acting on information that Frank was selling crack cocaine in the city, an undercover officer contacted Frank to set up a controlled purchase of crack cocaine, police said. This occurred even as police investigated a number of drug overdoses throughout the day.

The transaction was set to take place in the Best Buy parking lot on Connecticut Avenue, police said. 

When Frank arrived, officers attempted to detain him, however, he resisted and a struggle ensued, police said. 

Even after being handcuffed, Frank continued to resist violently, including by kneeing an officer in the groin, police said. After Frank was subdued, officers recovered 3.53 grams of crack cocaine that was concealed in the front of his pants, police said. 

Officers conducted field tests of the crack cocaine seized from Frank, and it tested positive for the presence of cocaine and Fentanyl, a highly potent chemical opioid, police said.

Related story: Opiate-Laced Crack Leads To 5 Overdoses, 2 Fatal, In One Day In Norwalk

Officers then transported Frank to Norwalk Hospital to be treated for minor injuries sustained during his arrest, police said. 

While at the hospital, Frank was able to obtain a handcuff key and attempted to release his leg shackles, police said. But officers quickly secured Frank and recovered the key, police said.

Officers also executed a search warrant at 15 Freedman Drive, where Frank lives, and seized heroin, PCP, marijuana, digital scales and a table covered in powdery residue, police said.

At this time, officers have not established a connection between Frank and the seven overdoses that occurred in Norwalk in the past 24 hours. 

The first three drug overdoses occurred between 8 and 9 a.m. Saturday, police said. The first occurred on Quaker Road, the second on Suncrest Road and the third on Perry Avenue, police said. Two people died as a result, police said.

At 1:38 p.m., officers responded to the Garden Park Motel at 351 Westport Ave. for another drug overdose, police said. In the fifth overdose of the day, a person was transported to Norwalk Hospital from an address on Arch Street, police said.

Two additional overdoses were reported shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday that were "consistent with prior five OD's from Saturday," police said via Twitter. That made for a total of seven overdoses, with two deaths, in 24 hours, police said. 

The investigation was ongoing. 

Frank was charged with assault on a police officer, possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of housing, possession of narcotics with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of housing, interfering with a police officer and first-degree criminal attempt escape.

He was held on $50,000 bond.

Anyone with information on Frank or any of the overdoses is asked to contact detectives at 203-854-3111. Anonymous tips can be left at any of the following contacts:

  • Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111
  • Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at: www.norwalkpd.com
  • Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing "NPD" into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to CRIMES (274637)

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