Cops: Three Charged With Operating Crack Factory

Three Grand Street residents are facing drug factory charges after Middletown Police say a sting resulting in the seizure of nearly $3,000 of crack cocaine packaged for sale.

On Wednesday, the Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Patrol Division served a warrant at 127 Grand Street, apartment 307, on Jahema Turner, 30. Officers received numerous complaints from concerned citizens that Arthina Hilton, 52, was allowing Turner and Ashley Black, 28, to sell crack cocaine out of the apartment.

Police say Turner has a pending case at Middlesex Superior Court stemming from a narcotic arrest on March 26, 2010, when narcotic detectives executed a search warrant on Turner and recovered a significant amount of crack cocaine. He was charged with possession of crack cocaine, and with intent to sell, and with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school zone, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Turner also has a pending case from Oct. 11, 2011, in which he was charged in New Britain with possession of crack cocaine, and with intent to sell, and with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school zone.

Detectives found Turner, (AKA “Hema”), Black (AKA “Tokyo”) and Hilton, the report says. 

As detectives entered the apartment ,Turner tried to throw a bag of marijuana across the living room; he was taken into custody after a brief struggle, the report says. Located on a table was a large amount of crack cocaine prepackaged for sale as well as large chunks of crack cocaine that had yet to be broken down into smaller quantities for sale.

Police say there were numerous cellophane bags for packaging, razor blades and a scale also located on the table. The total weight of the crack cocaine recovered was over one ounce (29 grams; approximate street value of $2,900). The marijuana recovered was 2.8 grams.  

Turner was also found to be in possession of a significant amount of cash, the report says.

Turner was arrested and held on a $300,00 bond: possession of crack cocaine, and with intent to sell, and with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school zone, and possession of drug paraphernalia; conspiracy to possess crack cocaine, and with intent to sell, and with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school zone; possession of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia in a school zone; interfering with the execution of a search warrant and operating a drug factory.

Black was subsequently arrested and held on a  $10,000 non-surety bond:

crack cocaine, and with intent to sell, and with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school zone,conspiracy to possess crack cocaine, and with intent to sell, and with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school zone;possession of drug paraphernalia in a school zone; and operating a drug factory.

Hilton was arrested and released on a $10,000 non-surety bond: conspiracy to sell crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia in a school zone.