From the November 3, 2005 edition of THE VALLEY COURIER.

Photo by Elizabeth Albright

Traffic Stop Turns Into Drug Bust

-Jason J. Marchi, Courier Correspondent

Deep River – A routine traffic stop during the afternoon hours of October 22 turned into a sizeable marijuana bust for Deep River Resident State Trooper Burgarella.

At 3:49 p.m. Trooper Burgarella conducted a routine motor vehicle stop for a traffic violation on Main Street near Southworth Street.

While conducting the stop Burgarella observed drug related contraband inside the vehicle. The occupants were detained and a thorough search of the vehicle revealed a

significant amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and cash.

Approximately 619 grams of marijuana (1.37 lbs) were seized and the occupants of the vehicle were placed under arrest and taken into custody.

The accused men included 20 year-old Christophe S. Philippon of 144 Bunker Hill Street, Charleston Massachusetts, 19-year-old Eric R. Cormier of 151 Westbrook Road, Deep River, and 19 year-old Craig Laird of 8 Old Dobbin Lane, Ivoryton.

All three men were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of over 4 ounces of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The vehicle, driven by Philippon, was seized and towed to Attwood Auto.

Both Cormier and Laird were held at Troop F on $5,000 bonds, and Philippon was held on a $25,000 bond. The three were scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on October 24.

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