SPRINGFIELD — A routine traffic stop led to the seizure of a loaded ghost gun, drugs, and cash on Wednesday afternoon, Springfield Police Department reported.
Officers from Squad “C”, Traffic and C3 Units, stopped a vehicle on School Street around 5:30 p.m. for a vehicle inspection violation.
During the stop, police noticed a 17-year-old male passenger with what appeared to be a firearm in his jacket pocket.
The officers retrieved the weapon, which was loaded with 16 rounds and identified as a ghost gun—a firearm without a serial number.
Upon searching the teenager’s backpack, officers found 26 additional rounds of ammunition, multiple bags of marijuana, crack-cocaine, a scale, and over $1,300.
Further inspection of the vehicle revealed more cash and packaged marijuana.
The driver, 19-year-old Carlos Ocasio, and another passenger, 19-year-old Johanna Garcia, both from Springfield, were arrested at the scene.
Ocasio is facing charges including conspiracy to violate drug law, possession with intent to distribute a Class B and a Class D drug, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and a violation of probation warrant from Hampden Superior Court.
Garcia is charged with conspiracy to violate drug law and possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug.
Authorities have withheld the identity and charges of the 17-year-old due to juvenile privacy laws.
The investigation continues as Springfield Police address the growing concern of untraceable firearms and drug distribution within the community.
