Two men were arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 84 in West Hartford over the weekend when state police allegedly found multiple guns and a high-capacity magazine as well as suspected crack cocaine and fentanyl.
A trooper pulled the men over Saturday just before 9 p.m. when the driver of a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck was allegedly failing to stay in one lane on Route 9 North prior to the I-84 intersection, according to Connecticut State Police.
The trooper followed the truck onto I-84 as it crossed over the fog line and into the shoulder. State police alleged that the vehicle’s insurance status was found to be “unconfirmed.”
State police initiated a traffic stop near Exit 41 when a backup trooper arrived. The driver pulled over in the right shoulder “but only after one of the troopers had pulled ahead of them with their emergency lights activated,” state police said.
State police approached the vehicle and identified the driver as 25-year-old Steven Yariel Igartua-Algarin of Bristol. The passenger was identified as 25-year-old Jose Orlando Felix of New Britain, according to state police.
State police alleged that Igartua-Algarin’s hands were trembling as troopers investigated, and Felix avoided eye contact. Igartua-Algarin was asked to step out of the vehicle and whether he had any weapons. According to state police, he said he had a 9mm handgun in his shorts. He was detained in handcuffs and the gun was seized.
Felix was then asked to get out of the vehicle and was also detained. When asked if there were any other weapons in the truck, Igartua-Algarin reportedly said there was a knife in the vehicle, state police said.
State police had a K-9 unit respond to the scene so the animal could conduct an open air sniff. The K-9 allegedly alerted state police to the vehicle and Igartua-Algarin.
State police said troopers then searched the vehicle, allegedly finding a loaded high-capacity magazine, digital scales and powder-like substances suspected to be crack cocaine and fentanyl.
Both men were arrested. State police said a search of Felix led to the alleged discovery of a firearm concealed within one of his socks. He did not have a pistol permit.
The suspects were taken to Troop H in Hartford.
Igartua-Algarin faces charges of possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, use of drug paraphernalia, possession of a large-capacity magazine, failure to maintain lane and operating without insurance.
Felix was charged with possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, use of drug paraphernalia, carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, illegal transfer of a firearm and possession of a large capacity magazine.
Igartua-Algarin was released a $75,000 bond, while Felix posted $50,000 bond. They are both expected to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Nov. 12.
