Traffic stop in West Hartford leads to narcotics arrests

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State police say two suspects were arrested Saturday evening after a traffic stop revealed their alleged possession of drugs and weapons.

According to police, a trooper pulled over a black Doge Ram 1500 pickup just prior to the Interstate 84 intersection on Route 9 around 8:55 p.m., when the truck allegedly failed to stay in its lane.

The vehicle pulled over for the troopers when directed. Police said the investigating trooper noticed the driver’s hands were trembling and the passenger was avoiding eye contact as they interacted with the occupants.

When asked if they had any weapons, the driver- 25-year-old Steven Yariel Igartua-Algarin of Bristol- said he had a 9mm handgun in his shorts. Police said he was detained and the firearm was removed.

The passenger- Jose Orlando Felix, 30, of New Britain- was then asked to step out of the vehicle and he was detained as well. Although he only disclosed a knife, he was later found to have a firearm concealed in his sock- a weapon police said he was not permitted to have.

Based on the suspects’ behavior, the trooper requested an open air sniff from one of the narcotics K9s. The K9 alerted police to the vehicle and Igartua-Algain’s person.

A search of the vehicle found a loaded high-capacity magazine, digital scales and powder-like substances of suspected crack cocaine and fentanyl. Everything was seized as evidence.

As a result, Igartua-Algarin was charged with:

• Failure to maintain lane
• Operation of a motor vehicle without insurance
• Possession with intent to sell narcotics
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Four counts of use of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of a large capacity magazine

Felix was charged with:

• Possession with intent to sell narcotics
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Four counts of use of drug paraphernalia
• Carrying a pistol without a permit
• Illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle
• Illegal transfer of a firearm
• Possession of a large capacity magazine

Igartua-Algarin was released on a $75,000 bond and Felix was released on a $50,000 bond. Both are scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Nov. 12.

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