Trio Arrested After Lengthy Narcotic Task Force Investigation In Manchester

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

Police say three men face narcotics charges after an investigation into drug trafficking in and around Manchester.

Jerry Mercado, 39, of Hartford, and Yosti Vega, 45, of East Hartford, were arrested last week after investigators with the East Central Narcotics Task Force stopped their vehicle. He said officers seized fentanyl, cocaine, PCP, and cash during the stop.

Mercado faces several charges. Those include possession with intent to sell a narcotic substance, possession with intent to sell one ounce or more of a narcotic substance, possession of a controlled substance, operating a drug factory, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held on $675,000 bond, Manchester police said. 

Vega was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Vega was released on a $10,000 bond, police said. 

Reinert said a third man, Reymond Rojas of Hartford, was not at the scene. He said Rojas is in federal custody and was charged by warrant with narcotics-related violations.