PORTLAND — Two Wallingford men were among more than two dozen people charged in connection with a police raid at a motorcycle club last week.
Victor Rook, 38, of Wallingford, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell over one kilogram of cannabis and possession with intent to sell hallucinogenic.
David Burt, 31, of Wallingford, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell.
A total of 23 other people were charged in connection with the June 15 raid, including people from Massachusetts, Florida, and other towns around the state. Charges included possession with intent to sell hallucinogenics, illegal sale of a controlled substance, and possession of a pistol without a permit.
On June 15 around 7:40 p.m. members of state police special investigations, the emergency services unit tactical team, eastern and western major crime squads, and Portland police served a search warrant at the Ruthless 4 Life Outlaw Motorcycle gang clubhouse, 115 Airline Ave., Portland. Police began investigating a few months ago after receiving complaints from the public about large gatherings with open drug and alcohol use, according to a statement. The gatherings were causing significant quality of life issues including impacting a little league baseball field that was adjacent to the area, police said.
The activity sometimes resulted in cancelled games and practices because of illicit activity in the area of the field, police said. Police determined the motorcycle gang was using the clubhouse to sell controlled substances and that dealers, some from out of state, would rent space in the clubhouse to sell large amounts of controlled substances, police said. The events happened weekly.
Police served the search warrant while one of the events was taking place. About 90 people were inside and officers were able to safely detain everyone without incident.
Police found a total of 118 pounds of marijuana, 8.5 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, several thousand grams of THC products, several thousand hallucinogenic products, about $51,470 in cash, and two illegally possessed firearms.
Most of the people charged were released from the scene. No bond or court date information was immediately available. The warrant is sealed.
Reporter Lauren Sellew can be reached at lsellew@record-journal.com.