Anonymous Tip Leads to Pot Bust on Valleywood Road

When a resident noticed some suspicious activity going on at 36 Valleywood Road, they notified authorities via the Greenwich Police Department’s anonymous tip line.

On Thursday, those tips — and the lengthy investigation that followed — resulted in the arrest of three Greenwich men on drug charges and the eradication of an alleged “drug factory” inside the residence, where one of the suspects was reportedly dealing marijuana out of his rented space.

Tito H. Jaramillo, 20, of 36 Valleywood Road was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana, operating a drug factory, conspiracy at sale of marijuana, criminal attempt at sale of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The remaining two Greenwich residents were arrested while allegedly either buying or attempting to buy marijuana from Jaramillo at his residence.

John M. Caldwell, 21, of 47 Connecticut Avenue, was arrested and charged with conspiracy at possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy at sale of marijuana.

Edward G. Davis, 22, of 31 Park Ave., Old Greenwich, was arrested and charged with conspiracy at sale of marijuana, conspiracy at possession of marijuana, and possession of marijuana.

Police said in addition to the anonymous tips, the arrests are the result of time-consuming detective work, including long stakeouts and surveillance that started in early August.

Police said during the month of August the GPD Narcotics Section “received multiple anonymous complaints regarding drug activity at 36 Valleywood Road. These anonymous complaints were received via the Greenwich Police Department anonymous email tips line (tips@greewnichct.org) as well as the anonymous tips phone line (203-622-3333).”

Members of the Narcotic Section conducted “countless hours” of video surveillance on the residence. Police said during the investigation, detectives observed Jaramillo making drug deals out in the open, in front of his residence. With this evidence, police sought, and were granted, a warrant to search the residence, as well as Jaramillo.

Police said on Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m., detectives observed Jaramillo exit his residence and conduct a transaction with John Caldwell. They were subsequently arrested. Police said both Jaramillo and Caldwell were in possession of marijuana and cash — however as of press time police had not calculated quantities. Police said the amount of marijuana being cultivated, and the amount of cash seized, was “small.”

Police said immediately following the arrest, Jaramillo’s cell phone started receiving text messages from a subject who had already negotiated a drug transaction with Jaramillo. Police said the text message indicated that the subject was about to pull onto Valleywood Road to purchase drugs from Jaramillo.

Police identified the subject as Edward G. Davis in the street as he drove up to the house. Police said Davis told them he was going to purchase marijuana from Jaramillo and Davis. Police said Davis’ cell phone records verify his statements. Davis was subsequently arrested.

All three men were released on bond and are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 22.

“It should be noted that Jaramillo conducted hand to hand drug transactions in broad daylight in this residential, family oriented neighborhood,” police said in their report. “The assistance provided by the residents of the community by providing anonymous tips and information was essential to the safe and successful conclusion of this investigation. The anonymous information received provided detectives with the ability to pinpoint times and locations of the activity resulting in these arrests. The assistance made our community a safer place to live.”

Police said the investigation is ongoing and they expect to make more arrests in connection with the case.