Norwalk Man Charged with Selling Cocaine from His Apartment

Norwalk police searched an apartment at 8 Riverside Ave. on Wednesday afternoon and said they found "a large amount of powdered cocaine" and evidence it was being prepared for sale, so they arrested the man living there.

Gregory Edwards, 33, who lived in a second-floor apartment of 8 Riverside Ave., was charged with multiple crimes involving possession and sale of narcotics.

The amount of cocaine found was less than an ounce, but that was enough for multiple sales, according to Lt. James Walsh, commander of the Norwalk police special services unit which conducted the raid.

Walsh gave this account (an accusation not proven in court) of the matter:

In an investigation which lasted several weeks, police developed information that led them to suspect Edwards was selling "a high volume" of cocaine from his home.

Police applied for and received a search warrant, which was executed at about 2 p.m. They found a small "drug factory" in the apartment -- including not only powdered cocaine but packages, scales and other items to prepare the drug for individual sales. Some cash was also seized, but Walsh declined to say exactly how much cash or cocaine was found.

Police also found a small amount of marijuana, which they believe was likely for personal use. Edwards' home was within 1,500 feet of Jefferson School, which added to the charges against him.

Edwards was arrested without incident and charged with three counts of illegal manufacturing, distribution or sale of illegal drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of possession with intent to sell drugs within 1,500 feet of a school, two counts of possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of a school and possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana (a first offense for marijuana possession).

Edwards was initially held on $50,000 bond and was to appear Thursday in state Superior Court in Norwalk.