It's the largest seizure of crystal meth in the area, Easton Police said, with a pound-and-a-half found. Also, 577 Xanax pills were found, police said.
Cavan Devine was charged with operating a drug factory, possession of narcotics, two counts of possession of narcotics with intent to sell, failure to keep narcotics in a container, disorderly conduct and sale of narcotics. Bond was set at $500,000, and he was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
This investigation stemmed from calls that originated from a residence at 55 Silver Hill Road, where Devine was renting a room. Over the weekend, officers twice went to the residence in response to complaints.
"It was an incident, and he was having some troubles and (police) were called there," Easton Police Chief Tim Shaw said.
Occupants of the home led officers to the packaging, scales and drug residue, along with other evidence, police said.
The suspected narcotic evidence was taken to the Newtown Police Department for testing and showed a positive reaction for the presence of suspected crystal meth, police said.
Officers went back to the home later on Monday, and Devine was arrested when he returned at about 5 p.m. to gather personal belongings, police said. Devine was arrested without incident and taken to the Easton Police Department, where he was processed.
Officers then executed search warrants of Devine's vehicle and his room in the home at 55 Silver Hill Road. An additional search warrant was executed at the Holiday Inn, 1070 Main St., Bridgeport, where he had recently rented a room, police said. A small quantity of suspected crystal meth and further evidence was seized, police said.
Mark Sherman, Devine's Stamford criminal lawyer, explained that his client's case is one of addiction, not distribution. "It's a sensitive and serious health matter that we hope to work through with the assistance of the court and its intervention services."
Easton Police Officers were assisted by the Drug Enforcement Agency office in Bridgeport throughout this investigation.
There was no evidence that the crystal meth was made by Devine, police said. Evidence seized showed signs that the crystal meth was being bought and sold through the mail, police said.
Easton police will continue to work with the DEA and U.S. Postal Service on the investigation.
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