Crime & Safety

Six Years' Imprisonment In Drug Trafficking Case

John Medina sentenced in case involving discovery of drug stash in vehicle's dashboard

A 33-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday in the to serve six years in prison after pleading guilty to a drug trafficking charge.

Justice Patrick J. Clifford ordered John Medina, of Alger Street, to serve the time from an underlying sentence of 14 years. He must also serve three years of probation, during which time he must undergo drug screening, evaluation, and treatment and other counseling as appropriate; seek full-time employment; and be subject to electronic monitoring at his probation officer's discretion.

According to a report by Officer David Miner, a Groton Town police officer and member of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force - East Field Office, an investigation determined that Medina was involved in heroin and cocaine trafficking in the region. Officers arrested Medina on June 17 as he walked to his vehicle, and a search of the vehicle found 190 bags of heroin and 11 bags of cocaine powder behind the dashboard. A search of Medina's residence found a small amount of marijuana and $26,000 in 13 envelopes of $2,000 each.

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Medina was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to sell, possession of heroin within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, and possession of cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday to possession of heroin with intent to sell and the other counts were dismissed.

Medina was also charged with possession of cocaine and sale of cocaine in another case. According to Miner's report, Medina sold cocaine to an undercover officer in Groton two days before his arrest in New London. These charges were dropped as part of Medina's plea deal.

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