Police arrest 10 students on drug charges

By: Chris Gillon

Posted: 5/18/02

Last Friday, UConn police arrested 10 students on a variety of drug charges after an investigation on campus that police say lasted over a month. A press release by the police department said the arrests were "part of a continuing effort to address substance abuse on the UConn campus."

Police Maj. Ronald Blicher did not comment on the arrests or the investigation, citing that the court had sealed all arrest warrants when students were arraigned on Monday.

Three of the 10 arrests took place in the Hilltop section of campus, while others were made in North Campus, Towers and South. Two others were made off campus and out-of-town. According to UConn Police, the following students were arrested in the drug raids:

6:17 a.m.: Police arrested Brian Miller, 20, of Simsbury, in Ellsworth Hall. Miller was charged with illegal sale of marijuana, illegal possession of marijuana, illegal possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, interference with a search warrant, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, interfering with a police officer and assault on a police officer. Miller posted $70,000 bail.

8:36 a.m.: Police arrested Nicholas Kurple, 20, of Middlebury, in Hale Hall. Kurple was charged with three counts of illegal sale of a hallucinogen (Ecstasy), illegal sale of a narcotic (Heroin), illegal sale of a narcotic (Demerol), conspiracy to sell a hallucinogen, conspiracy to sell a narcotic, accessory to the sale of a narcotic, accessory to sale of a hallucinogen, illegal possession with the intent to sell a hallucinogen, illegal possession of a narcotic, illegal possession of a hallucinogen and illegal possession of a narcotic. Kurple's bond was set at $350,000.

8:39 a.m.: Police arrested Colin Whitehead, 19, of Coventry, in Hale Hall. Whitehead was charged with illegal sale of a narcotic (Hydrocodone Bitartrate), illegal sale of a narcotic (Vicodin), illegal sale of marijuana, illegal possession of a narcotic with the intent to sell, illegal possession with the intent to sell marijuana, illegal possession of a narcotic (Hydrocodone Bitartrate), illegal possession of a narcotic (Vicodin), illegal possession of marijauna, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a drug factory and conspiracy to commit forgery. Whitehead posted $190,000 bail.

10:15 a.m.: Police arrested Aaron Baum, 19, of Bolton, Mass, in Windham Hall. Baum was charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Baum posted a $1,000 non-surety bond.

10:15 a.m.: Police arrested Joseph Cabral, 19, of Somerset, Mass, in Hartford Hall. Cabral was charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and second degree forgery. Cabral posted a $2,500 non-surety bond.

12:12 p.m.: Police arrested Dustin Page, 20, of Milford, at the UConn Police Dept. Page was charged with illegal sale of marijuana, illegal possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, illegal possession of marijuana, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a drug factory. Page posted $30,000 bail.

12:30 p.m.: Police arrested Joseph Guigli, 19, of North Stonington. He was arrested in North Stonington. Guigli was charged with illegal sale of a hallucinogenic substance (Psilocybin Mushrooms), illegal sale of marijuana, illegal sale of a hallucinogen within 1,500 feet of a school, illegal sale of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a school, illegal possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, illegal possession of a hallucinogen within 1,500 feet of a school, illegal possession of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a school, illegal possession of a hallucinogenic substance and illegal possession of marijuana. Guigli posted $50,000 bail.

1:15 p.m.: Police arrested Elaine Young, 20, of Danbury. She was arrested in Danbury. Young was charged with illegal sale of a narcotic and illegal possession of a narcotic. Young posted $50,000 bail.

2:19 p.m.: Police arrested Nathan Reed, 19, of Rockport, Mass, in Hartford Hall. Reed was charged with illegal sale of marijuana, illegal possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, illegal possession of marijuana, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, operating a drug factory and possession of drug paraphernalia and second degree forgery. Reed posted $45,000 bail.

6:55 p.m.: Police arrested Ryota Hirata, 19, of Fairfield, at the UConn Police Dept. Hirata was charged with illegal sale of Ecstasy, illegal possession of Ecstasy, illegal sale of a hallucinogen, conspiracy to sell a hallucinogen, illegal possession of a hallucinogen, illegal sale of marijuana, illegal possession of marijuana with the intent to sell and illegal possession of marijuana. Hirata's bond was set at $110,000.

Seven of the students were arraigned Monday in Rockville Superior Court. Prosecutor Matthew Gedansky said that all students arrested previously took part in drug transactions with undercover police officers.