Police Seize Illegal Gun, Cocaine; Stamford Man Arrested: PD

STAMFORD, CT — A 55-year-old Stamford man is facing a series of gun and drug charges following his arrest on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Charles Handy, who goes by the nickname "Paco," was charged with possession of narcotics; possession of narcotics with intent to sell; criminal possession of a firearm; criminal possession of ammunition and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Handy is known to police and has an extensive criminal record, according to SPD Asst. Police Chief Richard Conklin, who noted that Handy has prior convictions related to drug trafficking.

The department's narcotics and organized crime squad received information that Handy was recently trafficking powder cocaine and crack cocaine, and that he was in possession of a handgun, Conklin said.

On Tuesday shortly before 12 p.m., officers followed Handy who was driving an older white pickup truck and pulled him over near Canal Street and Dock Street, Conklin said.

"At that stop they found he was in possession of a Kel-Tec .380 semi-automatic handgun which was loaded with six .380 rounds. Also they found 12 bags of powder cocaine on him totaling 3.3 grams, and he had a very large fixed blade knife in a plastic case," Conklin said.

Uniformed officers and police dog K9 Kane assisted in the stop, Conklin said.

"This was a very good investigation into a career criminal with an illegal handgun by narcotics and organized crime. This was a very good proactive arrest," Conklin added.

Handy was given a $250,000 bond. The SPD contacted federal authorities because Handy was on federal probation. Feds lodged a detainer against Handy for violation of his probation conditions, Conklin said.

Handy is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 28.