A man was arrested and accused of operating a drug factory when police reportedly found more than 400 bags of fentanyl in his vehicle in Waterbury on Monday.
Officers were patrolling a city-owned parking lot at 384 W. Main St. around 4 p.m. Monday when they spotted what was described as a suspicious vehicle with a man in the driver seat, according to Lt. Ryan Bessette of the Waterbury Police Department.
The driver was identified as 59-year-old Phillip Anthony of Waterbury, Bessette said. During the investigation, police reportedly found 480 bags of fentanyl and $825, according to Bessette.
Anthony was charged with operating a drug factory and possession of narcotics with intent to sell. Bessette said his prior criminal history includes multiple narcotics-related convictions.
Anthony was held on a $50,000 bond and arraigned in Waterbury Superior Court. He remains in custody and is due back in court on Nov. 21, according to court records.
“The Waterbury Police Department remains committed to ensuring public safety and proactively addressing illegal narcotics activity within our community,” Bessette said in a statement.
