SWAT teams search 11 homes in 5 towns

ANSONIA, Conn. (WTNH) --  Eleven homes in five towns were raided by SWAT teams Friday morning, and nine people were hauled away in hand-cuffs as part of a major drug bust.

Police say they've been investigating the case for more than six months.
      
News 8 cameras caught the action outside a Pearl Street home in Seymour Friday morning. It was just one of eleven homes raided in Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, Hamden, and Waterbury.

"We will go to whatever length we have to to put a stop to it," said Chief Kevin Hale of the Ansonia Police Department.

Police say the nine people arrested are part of a drug distribution ring operating in the Naugatuck Valley. They says 20-year-old Javon Zimmerman, who was murdered outside RJ's Cafe in Derby three weeks ago, was linked to the ring.

Kyle Flynn witnessed his neighbor's Beaver Street home in Ansonia being busted bright and early Friday morning.

"For the most part I just heard, 'get down, get down, get down.'" he said.  

"The mayor and the Finance Board have been good to us," Hale said. "Supplying us the bodies we need."

A home on Howard Avenue in Ansonia was also raided. The landlord, Robert Chop, was furious when he noticed the glass was shattered. He showed up to the police station demanding answers.
     
"I've got an antique door that needs to be replaced," he said.

Chop's tenant, Charles Spencer, was charged with criminal possession of electronic defense weapons.  

"We have probable cause to believe there was criminal activity taking place at that property," Hale said.  

"That does not answer the question," Chop said. "Even overseas it's not handled this way.  They've got arrest warrants, search warrants, and they knock on the door."

Beverly Taylor says she moved to Howard Avenue six months ago in hopes of fewer sleepless nights.

"They need to do something to get rid of all these people with drugs and weapons," she said. "Especially cause there's a school right over there. It's a shame."

Police say they expect more arrests.