On November 19, 2014, the Fairfield Police Department was notified by the Norwalk Police Department of suspicious packages found at the FedEx facility in their town. The packages were addressed to an address in the Southport section of Fairfield. Fairfield Police Officer Wells, K9 Ruger and Fairfield Detectives responded to the FedEx facility to assist in the investigation. K9 Ruger alerted on the package which later was later found to contain a large amount of marijuana.
The two packages were held by police and a Search and Seizure warrant for the packages was obtained by Fairfield Police Detectives. The packages were then opened and found to contain a green plant light substance suspected to be marijuana. The suspected marijuana was found pressed and encased in large swaths of cellophane (photo below). The substance tested positive for the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana. The packages were found to contain approximately 24 pounds of marijuana (one package with 14 pounds and the second with 10 pounds).
The packages were addressed to a private residential home on Main Street in the Southport section of Fairfield, CT. The home is occupied by an elderly resident receiving constant in home medical care. The elderly resident was not aware of the packages and was not involved. The accused, Joan M. Mitchell, was employed for two years as a live-in nurses’ aid and has been caring for the resident during that time. It was determined that Mitchell has been receiving similar packages, addressed from the same unknown sender, at the home for several months. Although other employees worked at the home, Mitchell was found to be the only person that would receive and inspect the packages upon delivery. On November 19, 2014, she was observed removing the delivered packages of marijuana from the front porch and bring them into the residence.
Thank you to the Norwalk, CT Police Department for their assistance and cooperation!