The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
PD: Man carried crack, cash during downtown traffic stop
MIDDLETOWN>> Acity man is facing drug charges after Middletown police say he was found with six bags of crack cocaine during a traffic stop Wednesday night.
Jiquane Collins, 21, also allegedly had hundreds of dollars in cash on him, which investigators say was evidence he is involved in selling drugs, police said.
Two detectives pulled Collins over at about 6:35 p.m. Wednesday after they allegedly saw Collins driving without license plate lights on Broad Street near Williams Street, within 1,500 feet of the Traverse Square public housing complex.
Collins gave a detective his license and registration but, as they spoke to him, Collins reportedly reached down toward his right pants pocket. Police thought Collins might be reaching for a weapon and had him get out his car.
A detective patted Collins down and allegedly found a baggie containing six pieces of crack cocaine tied in plastic and $530 in cash. Police said the six bags of crack weighed 1.2 grams and would be worth $120 on the street.
During the traffic stop and at police headquarters, investigators said Collin’s smartphone received several calls and messages, which would appear on the screen without anyone touching it.
“I’d come grab another 40 but no way if (they’re) that small,” one message allegedly said.
Police said “40” refers to four-tenths of a gram of crack, or $40 worth of the drug. They also said the amount Collins allegedly had in his possession was more than a user would have. Coupled with cash, police said it was evidence he is involved in drug dealing.
ollins, who lives on Butternut Street, was charged with failure to illuminate a marker plate, possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with the intent to sell and possession of crack cocaine with the intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a public housing complex. He is being held with no bond and was due in court Jan. 13.