Three arrested in East Lyme case involving drugs, graffiti

East Lyme — A routine early morning traffic stop led to the arrest of three men who allegedly were in possession of bath salts and had just spray-painted a wall, trash bin and freezer off Flanders Road, police said Wednesday.

Police said they stopped the vehicle at 1:18 a.m. because it was coming from behind a commercial establishment with its headlights off.

Officers searched the vehicle and found synthetic cathinones, popularly known as bath salts, along with powdered narcotics, hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia, according to police.

Police said officers, through further investigation, connected the vehicle and its three occupants to fresh spray paint in the area. According to police, the men painted graffiti on a trash bin and a wall behind Midway Plaza, as well as a freezer behind the Dunkin’ Donuts at 211 Flanders Road.

Charged in the incident were Ryan P. Higgins, 27, of Westbrook; Tyler J. Jake, 27, of 11 Portland Ave., Old Lyme, and Zachary Lewin, 30, of Old Saybrook. All three were charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and third-degree criminal mischief. Lewin additionally was charged with failure to have taillights illuminated.

Jake and Higgins each are due Jan. 25 in New London Superior Court. Lewin was due in court Thursday.