Cops: Conn. woman arrested on I-684 with painkillers, pot

BEDFORD – A Connecticut woman is facing criminal charges after she was found carrying 85 pills of the painkiller Oxycodone during a traffic stop on Interstate 684, state police said.

Johannie Cruz, 25, of Waterbury was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over around 12:30 p.m. Friday for speeding, according to a news release. She smelled of marijuana and a search revealed Cruz had pot and painkillers on her.

The 25-year-old is charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.

The driver of the car, Mildred Betancourt, 36, was arrested for driving while ability impaired by drugs after failing field sobriety tests, police said. Betancourt, also from Waterbury, was additionally charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and speeding.

Police also seized a large sum of money after finding cash on Betancourt and in the vehicle.

Both women were arraigned in Bedford Town Court. Cruz was remanded to the Westchester County jail in lieu of $10,000 bail and Betancourt was released on $3,500 cash bail. They are due back in court Thursday.

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