On July 18, Clinton Police officers responded to #59 Old Post Rd unit #DR-5, in order to assist the Hartford Police Department regarding a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident, which had occurred in Hartford earlier in the day. Officers made contact with a resident of this home, Steven Bell, 27.

Officers immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana from inside the home. Officers were allowed into the home and subsequently located items of drug paraphernalia and plant-like material believed to be marijuana in plain sight in the living room of the home.

A subsequent search of the home turned up further evidence of pre-packaged marijuana and additional drug paraphernalia. These items led officers to believe that the occupants of this home were involved a drug selling operation from this location.

Two additional parties, Jan Michel Gere, 24, and Kathleen Smith, 23, were identified as additional individuals also residing in this home. They were located together in a vehicle returning to the home a short time after officers had arrived at this location.

All three parties were arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana, conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a drug factory. Smith was additionally charged with possession of narcotics, as several bags of heroin were found to be in her possession at the time of her arrest. Bell was additionally charged with cultivation of marijuana.

All three were held on $2,500.00 bonds. Bell was able to post bond and is scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior court on July 31.

Gere and Smith did not post bond and will be arraigned on July 19.