Wallingford Police Arrest Two Local Residents Following K9 Drug Detection at Local Restaurant

Police arrested Valon Gjonbalaj and Jason Monocchi in Wallingford after K9 Kip helped sniff out cocaine, mushrooms, and fentanyl during a suspicious activity call.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 12:44 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WFSB Hartford.

Suspicious Behavior Triggers Police Response

Wallingford officers were dispatched to a local restaurant on Sunday after staff reported two men acting erratically. According to the complaint, the individuals appeared to be under the influence of narcotics while inside the establishment. Witnesses observed the pair leaving the building and entering a vehicle parked directly in front of the business, where they remained until law enforcement arrived.

K9 Kip Assists in Narcotics Recovery

Upon arrival, officers approached the vehicle and observed suspected illegal substances in plain view. To ensure a thorough search of the car, the department deployed K9 Kip. The police dog's alert helped officers locate and seize a significant quantity of contraband, including approximately 8 grams of powdered cocaine and packaging containing psilocybin (psychedelic) mushrooms. Additionally, investigators found suspected fentanyl that had been carefully concealed inside folded currency.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

The two occupants were identified as 30 year old Valon Gjonbalaj and 43 year old Jason Monocchi. Both residents face the following legal actions: