A convicted felon accused of selling narcotics was found with a gun and crack cocaine when he was arrested on Monday, police said.
Deyshon Pina, 32, of Meriden is charged with criminal possession of a firearm, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, second-degree criminal mischief, weapons in a motor vehicle and carrying a pistol without a permit, according to the Meriden Police Department.
Police said Pina was identified as a suspect when the department’s Crime Suppression Unit conducted an investigation in April and May into suspected narcotics activity in the area of Willow Street. Investigators also received information indicating he was illegally in possession of a firearm, according to police.
During the investigation, authorities allegedly saw Pina engage in multiple narcotics deals. He was taken into custody and found with about 3.4 grams of crack cocaine, according to police. Police also said they found a loaded .45 caliber pistol in the rear seat of the vehicle next to where Pina was sitting. Police noted that he is barred from having guns or ammunition based on a previous felony conviction.
Pina was initially held on $750,000 bond and was arraigned in New Haven Superior Court, where a judge raised his bail to $1 million and continued the case to June 25, according to court records. Pina did not enter a plea during the hearing or immediately post bail, records show.