Police: Gambling machines, hidden cash, cocaine found in Norwalk liquor store

A raid at a Norwalk liquor store turned up narcotics, illegal gambling machines, hidden cash and two fake handguns, according to police.

On Aug. 7, officers with the Norwalk Police Department’s Special Services Division executed search and seizure warrants for Cocchia’s Liquor Store at 23 Ely Ave. The operation came after a months-long investigation into information about large amounts of cocaine being sold there, police said.

“When they executed the search warrants, they found two individuals in possession of cocaine, including an individual they had initially identified as the main dealer,” stated Dep. Chief Terry Blake.

That dealer was 48-year-old Felix Galindo-Castillo, of Norwalk, who police said was the founder of the violent Los Vagos Gang based in Mexico. They also learned he had an active federal arrest warrant for illegal re-entry into the country, according to police. That fugitive from justice bond was set at $1 million.

Galindo-Castillo’s new charges include sale of narcotics, conspiracy to commit/sale of narcotics, possession of narcotics and conspiracy to commit/possession of narcotics. His additional bond was set at $55,000.

Police also arrested 44-year-old Jose Gerado Fuentes-Lima, of Norwalk. He’s charged with possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit/possession of a controlled substance, illegal gambling, sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit/sale of narcotics. His bond was set at $55,000.

Police said a search of the store turned up several bags of cocaine in the walk-in beer cooler and seven full-size illegal gambling machines, which were positioned in two different parts of the store.

“They located gambling proceeds and gambling receipts within the liquor store,” Blake said.

About $5,000 in cash was seized from the machines and hidden in liquor boxes, according to police. They also said they found two fake handguns stashed under the register.

Blake told News 12 police made cocaine and gambling arrests at Cocchia’s in 2022.

“This is an ongoing enterprise that was occurring within this business,” Blake stated. “We work hard to ensure the safety of our community and in doing so, making these arrests, I think will help make that area and that neighborhood much safer.”

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and they’re being assisted by the Connecticut State Consumer Protection Division.