Branford Man Reports Burglary, Charged After Police Find Drugs: Police

BRANFORD, CT - A local man called police Saturday evening to report a burglary, but he ended up getting arrested himself because of the alleged significant amount of drugs found in his apartment, police said.

Taylor Sapiente, 22 of 675 East Main Street, Apt. 2B, Branford, was arrested Saturday just after 8:30 p.m. when he called police to report a burglary to his apartment, police said.

Sgt. Philip Ramey said that when Officer Mathew Clerkin arrived at Sapiente’s home to investigate his burglary complaint, Clerkin was altered to the overwhelming smell of marijuana emanating from the apartment, police said in a news release.

Because of the smell, Sapiente was detained while officers and detectives applied for search and seizure warrant to search Sapiente’s home.

“As a result of the execution of the Search Warrant, Officers and Detectives seized marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms, hash oil, drug paraphernalia, a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine and $3,900 in cash,” said Ramey in a statement.

Sapiente was charged with sale or possession of narcotics with intent to sell; sale or possession of marijuana; operating a drug factory; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sapiente was held on a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in New Haven Court today at 10:00 a.m.