Groton — The Regional Community Enhancement Task Force on Wednesday arrested three men after officers allegedly found more than 5 ounces of crack cocaine in the vehicle the men were in and a motel room they had occupied.

Arrested were Ronald Hart, 34, of 546 Bank St.; Jermaine Smith, 32, of no certain address and Eric Malloy, 34, of 15 Strosberg Road, Waterford.

Hart was charged with possession of narcotics, tampering with evidence and interfering with an officer.

Smith was charged with possession of more than 1 ounce of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, sale of narcotics and possession of narcotics.

Malloy was charged with possession of more than 1 ounce of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotics.

According to police, task force officers stopped a vehicle near state Route 12 about 1:26 p.m. Wednesday. When police headed toward the car, the men allegedly tried to conceal drugs inside.

Police said information they developed during the stop led them back to a motel in the Town of Groton, where they found more crack cocaine.

Officers said they seized 151 grams, or about 5.3 ounces, of crack cocaine during their searches. They also said they seized more than $2,000 in cash.

Smith, held on a $100,000 bond, was due in New London Superior Court on Thursday.

Hart and Malloy, who were given $2,500 and $5,000 bonds, respectively, are due in the same court May 17.

The Regional Community Enhancement Task Force consists of detectives and officers from southeastern Connecticut who work to combat the heroin crisis in the area and improve quality of life for residents.