Loaded Handgun, Drugs & Cash Seized After Darien Traffic Stop: PD

DARIEN, CT — A loaded 9mm handgun, cocaine, ecstasy pills and other illegal drugs were seized by Darien police early Monday after a traffic stop on the Post Road near Quaker Lane, according to authorities.

Two people were arrested following the stop, which occurred at about 12:45 a.m. In addition to the drugs mentioned above, police also confiscated Xanax bars, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The incident began after an officer spotted a Mitsubishi Mirage traveling westbound on the Post Road and make a left turn onto Rings End Road. A short time later, the vehicle pulled out of Rings End Road, turning east on the Post Road. The officer followed the vehicle and saw it cross the center lane marker into the westbound lane, prompting the motor vehicle stop.

While speaking with the driver, later identified as Kevin Alvarez, 21, of Morningside Drive in Bridgeport, the officer smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

"The officer observed two cases containing alcoholic beverages in the back seat of the vehicle," police said. "Further there was an open beer bottle in the cup holder in the center console. Alvarez was unable to produce a driver's license, and a DMV check showed that his license was suspended. The officer then asked the passenger, later identified as Disy Medina [23, of Avery Street in Stamford], if she had a driver's license, which she did not."

At that time, the two were removed from the vehicle, and police began to search it.

The Ruger handgun was found under the driver's seat, and backpack containing various drugs and 9mm bullets was found in the backseat.

The drugs inside the backpack were as follows:

• 12.46 grams of cocaine
• 31 ecstasy pills
• 52 Xanax bars of varying colors
• 6.3 grams of methamphetamine
• 20.03 grams of marijuana

"Also in the backpack was a scale and a large amount of small baggies," police said. "In Medina’s purse officers located two Xanax bars and a small amount of Marijuana. A wallet with $1,984 in cash was located in the driver's door pocket."

Alvarez failed a Standardized Field Sobriet Test at the scene, and later "admitted to consuming alcohol and narcotics" earlier in the evening, but he refused to submit to a urine test at police headquarters.

Medina was charged with the following:

• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of controlled substance
• Failure to keep narcotic in original container

Alvarez's charges were:

• Operation of a drug factory
• Sale of narcotics
• Sale of controlled substance
• Possession of a dangerous weapon while under the influence
• Possession of weapons in a motor vehicle
• Failure to keep narcotic in original container
• Operating a MV under the influence
• Operating with a MV with a suspended license/registration
• Failure to drive right

Medina was held in lieu of bail of $50,000, while Alvarez was held in lieu of bail of $150,000. Both were scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on May 18.