AR-15-Style Rifle, Ecstasy Seized From Naugatuck Home: Police

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Naugatuck man was arrested Monday night after officers found various firearms and ammunition at his home, as well as evidence of a marijuana growing operation in the home's basement, according to police.

In a news release, police said officers were called to a Perock Lane home around 8 p.m. and determined a dispute had occurred there between Mark Rich, 42, of Naugatuck, and a woman.

According to police, Rich also tried to interfere with the woman's attempt to call 911.

While inside the home, officers noticed firearms and cannabis cultivation materials in plain view, police said.

After obtaining a search-and-seizure warrant, officers seized various firearms and firearm parts, including lower receivers, which are necessary for the manufacture of a firearm. They also seized high-capacity magazines, police said.

According to police, some of the firearms lacked serial numbers or other markings, making them illegal to possess. One of the firearms was an assembled AR-15-style rifle.

Officers also seized approximately 8 grams of suspected ecstasy (methamphetamine/MDMA) tablets, as well as several containers and bins with dried marijuana plants and ammunition, police said.

Officers also found grow tents and cultivation equipment that indicated a marijuana growing operation was set up in the home's basement, according to police.

Rich was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a firearm, high-capacity magazines, violation of firearms, lower receivers and frame restrictions, cultivation of cannabis, disorderly conduct and interference with emergency calls.

According to police, Rich is a convicted felon and prohibited by law from possessing firearms.

He was held on a $500,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, according to police.