Danbury Police: Arrest Turns Up Stolen Gun and 287 Bags of Fentanyl

The Danbury Police Department's Special Investigations Division (SID) has been conducting a months-long investigation, working alongside officers from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

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According to police, that investigation led officers to identify Christopher Thompson as a suspect and on Thursday (10/19/23) police made their move. A Danbury Police Department press release states the following:

"Detectives and Agents were in possession of 3 court authorized search and seizure warrants for the person of Christopher Thompson, his vehicle and cellular telephone. Detectives and Agents were conducting a surveillance of Thompson when a female entered his vehicle. Detectives and Agents believing a drug transaction was taking place approached the vehicle when it stopped at a local business. The vehicle was occupied by Thompson, Daryl Ridgeway, and the female. The search warrants were executed and all were removed from the vehicle. On the person of Daryl Ridgeway two packages of white powder that field tested positive for cocaine were located. Christopher Thompson was found to be in possession of $478 in cash. A search of the vehicle produced a loaded 9mm handgun which had been reported stolen, 287 bags of fentanyl, approximately 2 grams of crack cocaine, and 23 grams of powder cocaine."

Police says Thompson was already known to the Department as he's a convicted drug dealer they've had dealings with in the past.

Fentanyl is extremely dangerous and is killing Americans at an alarming rate. Here are some statistics from the DEA and CDC:

• 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl, considered a potentially lethal dose.
• Drug trafficking organizations typically distribute fentanyl by the kilogram.  One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.
• It is possible for someone to take a pill without knowing it contains fentanyl. It is also possible to take a pill knowing it contains fentanyl, but with no way of knowing if it contains a lethal dose.
• According to the CDC, synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States. Comparison between 12 months-ending January 31, 2020 and the 12 months-ending January 31, 2021 during this period:
• Overdose deaths involving opioids rose 38.1 percent.
• Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) rose 55.6 percent and appear to be the primary driver of the increase in total drug overdose deaths.

Below is a list of the suspect's charges.

Christopher Thompson

• Possession of a controlled substance 3 counts
• Possession of a narcotic substance with intent to sell 3 counts
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Conspiracy to attempt sale of narcotics
• Possession of a narcotic substance with intent to sell within a school zone

Daryl Ridgeway 

• Possession of a controlled substance 3 counts
• Possession of a narcotic substance with intent to sell 3 counts
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Conspiracy to attempt sale of narcotics
• Possession of a narcotic substance with intent to sell within a school zone
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Criminal Possession of a firearm
• Criminal possession of ammo
• Weapon in a motor vehicle
• Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Carrying a pistol without a permit

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