Wolcott man arrested in connection with Waterbury drug trafficking organization

A Waterbury drug trafficking organization has been “dismantled” following the arrest of a Wolcott man wanted for trafficking cocaine, state police said Wednesday.

Ralph Kendrick, 55, turned himself in to Troop A barracks Monday afternoon after learning there was a warrant out for his arrest, police said. Kendrick is charged with possession with intent to sell more than a half-ounce of cocaine, possession with intent to sell more than a half-ounce of crack cocaine and with operating a drug factory.

Kendrick and his brother, Darryl Brown, 61, of Waterbury, had been under investigation for months by a multi-agency group comprised of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, Waterbury Police Department Gangs Task Force and members of the Wolcott Police Department, among others, police said.

According to court documents, Brown and Kendrick were investigated between January and July of 2021 for trafficking crack cocaine near Waterbury.

Brown was initially arrested in July and charged with possession with intent to sell cocaine, criminal possession of a firearm, and operation of a drug factory, police said.

According to police, a subsequent court-authorized search of “several residences” in Waterbury and Wolcott resulted in police seizing 1.9 pounds of cocaine, 115 grams of crack cocaine, a 9mm pistol, about $290,000 and drug packaging materials, which were hidden within the residences.

Brown was released on a $400,000 surety bond, and Kendrick was released on a $500,000 surety bond.

Kendrick is scheduled to appear in court in Waterbury on Nov. 23.