Stamford Police Recover Assault Weapon During Drug Bust

A weeks-long investigation into a suspected drug dealer resulted in two arrests and the confiscation of an illegal assault weapon during a sting operation Wednesday afternoon, police announced Thursday.

According to Capt. Richard Conklin, the Narcotics and Organized Crime Division culminated a weeks-long investigation into a suspected drug dealer identified by police as Jamaal Titus Grant, 31, with a search warrant-serving operation at his residence at 167 Grove Street, Apartment D.

As police prepared to serve the search warrant, Conklin said officers observed a woman pulling up to meet with Grant at approximately 3 p.m. and witnessed an exchange of two plastic baggies of marijuana for $40 in cash.

Police moved in and took the pair into custody. The woman, identified as Beverly Suarez, 49, of 73 Pine Hill Avenue, had her 6-year-old grandchild in the car with her during the exchange, Conklin said. The child's mother was called to come take the child into custody and Suarez was charged with possession of marijuana and risk of injury to a minor.

Grant was taken into custody as well, a move that was fortuitous for police, who could now apprehend Grant while he was not on "home turf," said Conklin. Conklin noted Grant was cooperative with authorities from that point forward during the serving of their search warrant on his residence, and confided to officers he was in possession of a weapon hidden under his bed mattress and a pit bull, but that they would find the dog crated.

Police discovered a Cobray CM-11 High Capacity 9mm Pistol-Grip 16.5" Barreled gun, pictured above, which Conklin said was classified as an assault weapon and one of the guns specifically listed in the new Connecticut State Statute regarding assault rifles.

Conklin said Grant, a convicted felon, told police he was "holding the gun for a friend."

A small amount of marijuana was seized from the apartment, as were a number of scales and packaging materials, according to Conklin. However, he noted officers did not find any ammunition in the residence and the weapon was not loaded.

"I'm very happy with the results of this investigation," Conklin said. "It has made the community much safer to take this high-powered assault weapon out of the hands of a convicted felon."

Grant was charged with possession of marijuana, sale of certain illegal drugs, operation of a drug factory criminal possession of a pistol and illegal possession of an assault weapon.

Grant was held in lieu of $100,000 bond. Suarez was released on a written Promise to Appear.