Shoplifter Found With $100K In Drugs, ‘Ghost Gun’: Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A shoplifting suspect was found to be in the possession of more than $100,000 worth of drugs and a “ghost gun” last Friday in Middletown, according to police.

Police responded to 416 East Main Street on Oct. 29 to investigate a shoplifting complaint.

The suspect, 34-year-old Luis Minaya of Waterbury, was arrested and police conducted a search during the investigation, according to officials.

Police said Minaya was found to be in possession of a “large amount of a large amount of Fentanyl, MDMA/Molly, Cocaine, Ecstasy, Xanex, Quetiapine, Sertraline, Marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.” The total value of the drugs was determined to be around $103,790, according to police.

Minaya was also in possession of an untraceable homemade handgun without a serial number, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun,” police said. The gun was equipped with a loaded 32 round 9MM extended magazine, according to police.

Minaya was charged with sixth-degree larceny, four counts of interfering with an officer, possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to sell controlled substance, possession with intent to sell narcotics, operation of drug factory, possession of a legend drug, possession with intent to sell narcotics by non-drug dependent person, illegal weapon in motor vehicle, criminal possession of firearm, illegal possession of large capacity magazine, and violation of protective order.

He was being held in lieu of a $200,000 bond with a court date of Nov. 24, according to state judicial records.