Driver Arrested On Gun, Drug Charges After Traffic Stop: West Haven PD

WEST HAVEN, CT — A New Haven man was arrested on gun and drug charges after a traffic stop Thursday night in West Haven, according to police.

Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop around 10 p.m. on a Nissan Altima for displaying a fraudulent Connecticut paper license plate, according to police.

Police said the vehicle was determined to be unregistered and uninsured. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Deon White of New Haven, did not have a valid driver’s license, according to police.

“Upon further investigation, police located several types of narcotics, including Oxycodone pills, MDMA, and marijuana exceeding the legal possession limit,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “Additionally, officers discovered a loaded Walther P22 firearm with an obliterated serial number inside the car. White does not possess a valid State of Connecticut pistol permit.”

White was arrested on charges of carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal transfer of a firearm, illegal alteration of a firearm (obliterated serial number), weapon in a motor vehicle, possession with intent to sell marijuana, possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, Displaying a fake license plate, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, operating without a license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, obstructed license plate, illegal tinted windows, and four counts of possession of a controlled substance.

“Police are aware of the increasing use of fake paper license plates and continue to monitor and address this issue,” police wrote. “If you are caught driving a motor vehicle on West Haven roads with one of these fraudulent plates, you may be subject to substantial fines and will have your vehicle towed at your expense.”