Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Bust In Wallingford: Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A traffic stop led to the arrest of a New Haven man after police say he was found to be in the possession of ecstasy, crack cocaine and marijuana on Thursday afternoon. The stop occurred on Pent Highway near its intersection with North Colony Road at about 12:50 p.m. on Oct. 3.

The officer saw a 2007 Acura TSX sedan with “darkened after-market window tinting” on all of its windows, except the windshield, according to Lt. Anthony DeMaio. The officer ran the car’s registration markers through the DMV files and found that it did not have confirmed insurance, leading to the stop, DeMaio said.

While speaking to the driver, identified as Kevin L. Murphy, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the car, which led to a search of the vehicle and Murphy, according to DeMaio.

DeMaio said Murphy was found to be in the possession of 45 multi-colored tablets that field-tested positive for Ecstasy, a mini zip-lock baggie containing approximately 1.0 gram crack cocaine rocks, approximately 2.0 grams of marijuana in a clear zip-lock baggie, and packaging materials of various sized baggies consistent with drug sales, and a large digital scale.

Murphy, 32, of New Haven, was arrested on charges of illegal possession of a hallucinogen with intent to sell, illegal possession of a hallucinogen, illegal possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana (less than ½ ounce), possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and window tinting violation.

Murphy was held in lieu of a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Meriden Superior Court on Oct. 4.