Loaded Gun, 120 Bags Of Heroin/Fentanyl Seized By Naugatuck Cops

NAUGATUCK, CT — A 24-year-old Waterbury man was arrested by Naugatuck police Tuesday after officers found a loaded handgun, cash and a stash of drugs in his possession following a traffic stop, according to authorities.

Maurice Alexander Young was pulled over on South Main Street near Route 8 at about 4:30 p.m. by Officer Hailey Zarzuela, who spotted various traffic violations as Young was driving a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

A search of the vehicle turned up the following:

• Loaded .380 pistol
• 13 bags of packaged cannabis products
• More than 2 ounces of marijuana
• 120 bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl
• $1,300 in cash

Young was taken into custody and charged with the following:

• Criminal Possession of Pistol
• Carrying Pistol Without a Permit
• Illegal Possession Weapon in Motor Vehicle
• Possession Controlled Substance
• Possession with Intent to Sell
• Insufficient Insurance
• Failure to Carry Tinted Glass Sticker

Police said that Young is a convicted felon and "prohibited from lawfully possessing" a gun.

"An investigation into the status and origins of the firearm remains ongoing," authorities said. "Naugatuck Police commend our officers for their efforts in keeping our community safe,
specifically from seizing a firearm from a convicted felon and removing dangerous opioids from the streets of our community."

Young remains in custody — held in lieu of bail of $150,000 — and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Dec. 1.