NORTH HAVEN — A routine patrol led to a significant drug bust yesterday when a North Haven Police officer noticed a vehicle with a fake temporary registration plate at about 11:30 a.m. on State St.
The vehicle, upon being followed by the officer, entered the APT foundation parking lot, where the officer witnessed what seemed to be a drug transaction.
After leaving the lot, the vehicle was stopped, and K-9 Cyrus was brought to the scene to conduct an open-air sniff around the vehicle’s exterior, which resulted in a positive alert.
Further investigation with K-9 Cyrus inside the vehicle led to more alerts, including indications towards a bag belonging to one of the occupants.
The search yielded a scale, various amounts of cash, rolling papers, two cell phones on the driver’s seat, and an elastic band commonly used as a tourniquet for drug injection.
Additionally, 10 wax folds of suspected Heroin/Fentanyl were found in an occupant’s bag.
Gary Coleman, 32, of New Haven, was charged with possession with intent to sell, alongside Parish Belton, 26, also from New Haven.
Ashlee Esposito, 36, from Hamden, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The arrests followed the culmination of evidence gathered during the traffic stop.
