Middletown police arrested a suspected gang member on Thursday and a 40-year-old woman accused of shielding herself with a 1-year-old child as police were making the arrest.
Police went to 35 Grand St. with a search and seizure warrant after getting several complaints from residents, landlords and the North End Action Team.
Police said they were investigating Zahrod Jackson, 18, who lives there, and Denzel Teart, 19 of Grove Street, members of the Bloods suspected of selling cocaine.
Went police went into the house, they said they smelled burnt marijuana and Jackson became combative and refused to be handcuffed.
Police subdued Jackson after a brief struggle, but his mother, Tanya Jackson, 40, used the 1-year-old to shield herself from the police, police said.
After taking the child from Tanya, police said they handcuffed her.
Inside the residence, police found crack cocaine, a razor blade covered with crack cocaine, marijuana, a marijuana smoking pipe, marijuana grinders, packaging materials and a fake can of soda commonly used to conceal narcotics in the house, according to a news release.
Local
Officers called the state Department of Children and Families because they said the child was present while marijuana was being smoked and crack cocaine was being sold. DCF is investigating.
Zharod Jackson is being held on a $125,000 bond. He was charged with possession of crack cocaine and marijuana, possession of the drugs and drug paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of an elementary school, risk of injury to a minor and interfering with a search warrant.
Tanya Jackson is being held on a $50,000 bond and was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of an elementary school, risk of injury to a minor and interfering with a search warrant.
Police also took Dvonte Tenn, 19, into custody. They said he is another member of the Bloods and there was a violation of probation warrant for him with a court set bond of $10,000.
To report illegal activities, call Sgt. Rich Davis of the Street Crime Unit at (860) 344-3259. All information will remain anonymous.
