Man Found With Drugs, Guns, Stolen Corvette: Meriden Police

MERIDEN, CT — A convicted felon was recently arrested after police said he was found to be in the possession of drugs, guns and a stolen Corvette.

The Meriden Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit received detailed information in July regarding a man selling drugs throughout the city, according to officials.

An investigation identified 32-year-old Edward Mercado as the suspect, according to police.

Police said members of the Crime Suppression Unit saw Mercado conduct what appeared to be a drug deal. After completing the transaction, police said Mercado pulled into a driveway on Liberty Street.

Members of the Crime Suppression Unit confronted Mercado, who police said was “uncooperative” and tried to leave the area but was eventually detained.

Police said 7 1/2 ounces of cocaine, approximately 5 ounces of fentanyl, approximately 12 pounds of marijuana, a stolen Glock .45 caliber pistol, and $35,880 in cash were found in Mercado’s vehicle.

“As a result of this investigation, a storage unit belonging to Edward was also searched and located inside the storage unit was a 2019 stolen Corvette and a .380 caliber pistol,” police wrote in a news release. “Edward is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.”

Mercado was charged with interfering with police, possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance with intent to sell, operating a drug factory, carrying a pistol without a permit, criminal possession of a firearm, weapons in a motor vehicle, misuse of registration plate, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

He was held in lieu of a $750,000 bond.