Alleged Drug Operation Shut Down By Clinton Police

After a hit and run motor vehicle accident earlier on the day of July 18, officers from the responded to an apartment at 59 Old Post Road in Clinton in order to assist the Hartford Police Department in its investigation.

Officers made contact with a resident of this home, Steven Bell, 27.

According to police, officers immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana from inside the home. Officers were allowed into the home and subsequently located items of drug paraphernalia and plantlike material believed to be marijuana in plain sight in the living room of the home.

A search turned up further evidence of pre-packaged marijuana and additional drug paraphernalia, noted police. These items lead officers to believe that the occupants of this home were involved in an alleged drug selling operation from this location.

Two additional parties, Jan Michel Gere, 24 and Kathleen Smith, 23, were identified as additional individuals also residing in this home. They were located together in a vehicle returning to Old Post Road a short time after officers had arrived at this location.

All three parties were arrested and charged with the following:

• Possession of marijuana with intent to sell
• Possession of marijuana
• Conspiracy
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Operating a drug factory

Smith was additionally charged with possession of narcotics, as several bags of heroin were found to be in her possession at the time of her arrest, said police. Bell was additionally charged with cultivation of marijuana.

All three were held on $2,500 bonds. Bell was able to post bond and is scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior court on July 31. Gere and Smith did not post bond and were arraigned on July 19.