DEA: Durham Man Sold Oxycodone Out Of His Home

Federal authories arrested a Durham man last month and charged him with selling the prescription painkiller oxycodone out of his home.

Robert Grem, 47, of 93 Camera Road, was arrested on Oct. 3 and charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, failure to keep narcotics in the original container and criminal possession of a firearm.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Grem and his son, Christopher Grem, 24, of the same address, were first identified as key members of a drug distribution network that supplied illegal drugs throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties by a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task force in October 2010.

During the initial stages of a two-year investigation, authorities learned from an informant that the father and son had been selling oxycodone for at least three years and had no fewer than 10 regular customers, the affidavit says.

Over a 15-month period, beginning in July 2011, undercover officers were able to make five purchases of oxycodone from the pair either directly or with help from informants or regular customers, the affidavit says.

On July 27, 2011, an undercover officer purchased eight oxycodone pills from Christopher Grem for $200 after meeting with him at a parking lot in East Haven, according to the affidavit.

In December 2011, undercover officers arranged to buy $300 worth of oxycodone pills from Robert Grem at his home in Durham, the affidavit says. A month later, on January 19, 2012, undercover officers purchased 28 oxycodone pills for $900 from the father and son at their home on Camera Road. A week later, on January 26, the undercover officers bought 45 oxycodone pills for $1,320.

On August 13, 2012, an undercover officer exchanged a series of text messages with Christopher Grem in an attempt to purchase 10 oxycodone pills, the affidavit says. During the exchange, the officer received a text from Grem that read, "I live in durham," acording to the affidavit. A purchase was never made, the affidavit says.

On September 19, 2012, an undercover officer arranged to buy $500 worth of oxycodone pills from Christopher Grem, according to the affidavit.

Shortly thereafter, investigators received information that the pair had been renting a storage locker at 1511 Saybrook Road in Middletown where they were likely storing drugs and selling oxycodone. Authorities say Robert Grem had rented the storage locker under the name John Arnone, a fictitious name

On October 3, authorities executed a search warrant at both the storage locker and Robert Grem's home in Durham where he was subsequently arrested.

According to the affidavit, authorities recovered $3,247 in cash from the home, drugs and drug paraphernalia, and a shotgun. Two weapons were also found in the storage locker.

Robert Grem's bond was set at $25,000. Christopher Grem has not been charged in the case, according to court records.

According to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the case, authorities are investigating how the pair obtained the prescription drugs.

Earlier this year, both Grems were charged with insurance fraud after police say they agreed to set a woman's car on fire in exchange for a $899 bed.

Robert Grem's criminal history dates back to 2004 and includes arrests on larceny, forgery and drug charges.