Members of the Hartford Shooting Task force confiscated an assault-style rifle and other weapons from a convicted drug dealer during a traffic stop.
Jorge Marrero, 28, of Hartford, was arraigned on numerous weapons charges in Hartford Superior Court Thursday afternoon.
Court documents show police received a tip from a confidential informant that Marrero was dealing drugs out of the back of his Sigourney Street apartment building and that he was in possession of several weapons.
The task force set up surveillance near Marrero's home on Wednesday.
Undercover officers watched Marrero make drug deals out back, followed him, and pulled him over at Woodland and Niles Streets, according to court documents.
Marrero was shaking, appeared nervous, and admitted having a Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle, a shotgun, and a revolver in a duffel bag in the backseat, according to court records. He told police he wanted to sell the weapons for quick cash, the records state.
Marrero has past felony convictions for burglary, robbery, and selling drugs, according to court officials. He was on probation at the time of this latest arrest.
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"We moved in on him when we had the opportunity," said Sgt. Winston G. Brooks, who is a member of the shooting task force.
"You got a convicted felon with a past history of very violent crimes. To be in possession of those type of weapons poses a serious safety concern in the city so to get those weapons off the street is a big bonus for us," Brooks said.
Marrero is charged with possession of an assault weapon, criminal possession of a pistol, criminal possession of a firearm, and having weapons in a vehicle.
Marrero's bond was set at $750,000.
