Vernon Police Dog Sniffs Out Drug Stash in Car at Henry Park

VERNON, CT — A Vernon police dog spent the early part of his shift Tuesday hanging out with residents at the annual National Night Out celebration.

He spent the second half snagging a suspected drug dealer's stash.

On Tuesday at 11:50 pm, Vernon Police Officer Brandon Zawadski was patrolling Henry Park, near the Fox Hill Tower, when he observed an occupied vehicle parked in the lot, according to an arrest report.

Henry Park is closed at sunset.

Zawadski met with the two occupants in the vehicle, who were identified by police as driver Zachary Oliver, 18 of Willimantic and an 18 year old female passenger.

Zawadski’s suspected the two were involved in illegal drug activity, so he summoned Vernon Police Canine Officer Jeffrey Condon and his dog partner, Tengo, according to an arrest report.

After arriving on the scene, Tengo located about a quarter-pound of marijuana inside the vehicle, police said.

Police said they also found in the vehicle 70 illegal prescription pills, a digital scale and a facsimile handgun.

Oliver was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of more than 4 ounces of marijuana
• Two Counts of Possession of Controlled Substance
• Possession of prug paraphernalia
• Weapon in a Motor Vehicle
• A town ordinance violation

Oliveris scheduled to be arraigned at Rockville Superior Court on Aug. 16, police said.