Stratford DUI Checkpoint Nets Man for Drugs

A DUI enforcement checkpoint on Barnum Avenue Cutoff Friday netted a 41-year-old Bridgeport man on narcotics charges.

Jose Maldonado was charged with possession with intent to sell a narcotic substance and failure to keep narcotics in original container.

Stratford police said when they stopped Maldonado at the checkpoint, several open containers of alcohol could be seen in his vehicle.

Police said when asked if there were any drugs in the car, the Bridgeport man said "no" but then looked directly at a cup holder which had a plastic baggie protruding from underneath it.

A vehicle search reportedly discovered several round white pills -- later confirmed as morphine -- in that plastic baggie. Police said Maldonado told them he had a prescription for the pills, but a check of the state's Prescription Monitoring Program did not support the claim.

Asked why the drugs were not in its original container, police said Maldonado told them, "I don't want anyone to take them."

Maldonado was held in lieu of $2,500 bond and is due in court today.