On 02/05/2021 at approximately 1:00 PM, members of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, ATF,
Groton City Police, and DEA executed a search warrant at 238 Branford Avenue, Groton, the known
residence of 43 year old Jose Esquilin, for narcotic related items. Members of the Statewide
Narcotics Task Force, also assisted by CSP Emergency Services Unit (ESU), simultaneously executed a
motor vehicle stop in the area of 45 Thomas Road, Groton, CT pursuant to serve a search warrant of Jose
Equilin. Both search warrants were the result of a Statewide Narcotics Task Force investigation
into Esquilin who was selling narcotics from the residence.
Esquilin was detained without incident in the area of 45 Thomas Road after being observed by members
leaving his residence and into a vehicle. Once Esquilin was secured, members made entry into 238
Branford Avenue. One 14 year old male juvenile was located on the second floor being the only occupant
at that time. Once secure, a search of the residence was completed and as a result the following was
seized: 40.6 grams of suspected cocaine, 13.6 grams of suspected fentanyl, 7.4 grams of suspected crack
cocaine, jewelry, along with narcotics packaging materials and two digital scales. It should be noted that
the narcotics were located in an unlocked bedroom on the second floor containing a 3XL black jacket
containing the narcotics in the pocket. It was determined the aforementioned bedroom is where Esquilin
sleeps, in which contained pictures and property identifying him throughout the room.
Esquilin was transported to Troop E where he was processed and charged with Possession of
Narcotics with Intent to Sell, Operating a drug factory, and Risk of Injury to a Minor. Esquilin
was held on a $50,000 bond pending court at New London Superior Court on 02/08/2021. He was later remanded
by Parole and transferred to the Department of Corrections where he is being held.
The above mentioned evidence was transported to the SNTF-E office. The suspected crack cocaine was
subjected to an analysis with a Tru Narc ramen spectrometer. The analysis confirmed the presence of
cocaine base. The suspected fentanyl was subjected to an analysis utilizing Mistral #211 reagent field test
for fentanyl. Said analysis yielded a positive test result for fentanyl. The suspected cocaine was subjected to an analysis with a Tru Narc ramen spectrometer. The analysis confirmed the presence of cocaine HCL.