Accused Drug Dealer In Mercedes Charged After Hartford Traffic Stop

HARTFORD/FARMINGTON, CT — A New Britain man in a Mercedes wanted on a Farmington Police Department warrant was charged with multiple drug and weapons charges by state police after a traffic stop in Hartford late Wednesday night.

According to Connecticut State Police, Steven P. Samuels, 32, of 82 Brittany Farms Road, New Britain, was charged with several offenses after a traffic stop on Interstate 84 in Hartford at about 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said in a a report released Thursday morning that Samuels was charged with:

• Illegal operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

• Failure to drive in the proper lane.

• Use of drug paraphernalia.

• Three counts of possession with intent to sell multiple types of narcotics.

• Possession with intent to sell 1 kg or more of cannabis.

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.

• Illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

He has been released on $100,000 bond and will appear in Hartford Superior Court Oct. 3, police said.

State police said officers were conducting routine patrol operations Wednesday night on I-84 west in Hartford when they observed a blue Mercedes vehicle in the center lane near Exit 44 swerving and failing to maintain the lane.

As a result, police pulled the care over, according to the arrest report, on the Exit 40 off-ramp.

According to police, the operator — later identified as Samuels — was "evasive with his answers to troopers' questions and not forthcoming with information.

"During the stop, police learned Samuels was wanted on an active warrant with the Farmington Police Department, according to the report.

While Samuels was detained, police said, troopers saw a large amount of marijuana in the rear of the vehicle.

Further inspection, police said, resulted in officers finding: a loaded revolver; more than 1 kg of marijuana; 231 grams of illegal psychedelic mushrooms packaged for sale; vials containing crack cocaine; and "various items used in the sale of illegal drugs and narcotics."

State police, eventually, transferred him to the Farmington Police Department.

For the Connecticut State Police news page, click on this link.