2 Arrested, Drugs Seized During Raid On 2 Businesses In Hamden: Police

HAMDEN, CT — Two people were arrested, and two illegal guns and illegal marijuana products were seized during a raid on two businesses Monday afternoon in Hamden, according to police.

Throughout February and March, the Hamden Police Department’s Intelligence Unit, Crime Intervention Unit and Major Crimes Unit investigated complaints regarding illegal sales of marijuana in Hamden, according to Lt. Raymond Quinn.

Quinn said search-and-seizure warrants were executed Monday, March 10 at the Made in Greenwood Smoke Shop at 1164 Dixwell Ave. and Connecticut Business Institute at 1160 Dixwell Ave. in Hamden.

Evidence recovered included “illegal marijuana products, narcotics as well and two illegal guns,” according to Quinn.

“With the involvement of community members and the hard work of my officers this investigation has removed illegal firearms and narcotics from Hamden,” Hamden Police Chief E. P. Reynolds said in a statement. “Through this type of cooperation, we can all live in a safer community. I wish to commend my investigative team on a job well done.”

The State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services assisted with the investigation.

Police seized the following marijuana products and drugs:

• Marijuana and marijuana based products
• Psilocybin products
• Fentanyl
• Ziploc bags containing crack cocaine
• Ziploc bags containing powder Cocaine
• Ziploc bags containing Ibuprofen, Gabapentin and Cyclobenzaprine pills
• Clear plastic sandwich bag containing multicolored fentanyl pills.
• Suboxone packages
• 2 glass bottles containing hashish

Bennie Murphy, 34, was arrested on charges of criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, altering / obliterating firearm serial number, failure to keep prescription pills in original container, two counts of possession of narcotics, and two counts of possession of narcotics with the intent to sell. He was held in lieu of a $150,000 bond.

Michael Beverley, 32, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a narcotic with the intent to sell. He was held in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

Quinn said the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Hamden Police Department at 203-230-4000.