Boston traffic stop uncovers automatic ghost gun, drugs

BOSTON — A routine traffic stop in East Boston on Friday led to the arrest of a man found in possession of a fully automatic ghost gun and suspected cocaine, according to the Boston Police Department.

At about 3:13 p.m., on Friday, officers from District A-7 and the Youth Violence Strike Force were patrolling Saint Andrew Rd. when they spotted a white BMW linked to an ongoing investigation.

The driver, identified by officers involved in the case, was found to be operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

After initiating a stop at 81 Saint Andrew Rd., officers conducted an investigation which revealed a loaded, fully automatic, large capacity firearm concealed in the operator’s waistband.

Further search uncovered a small bag of a substance believed to be cocaine inside the suspect’s wallet.

Detectives at the scene identified the weapon as a P80 Polymer Ghost Gun, modified with a switch device capable of converting semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons.

The gun was equipped with a black extended magazine containing twenty-two .40 caliber rounds, and one round in the chamber.

The suspect, Christopher Rodriguez, 23, of East Boston, was taken into custody.

Rodriguez faces multiple charges, including Carrying a Firearm Without a License, Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card, Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, Possession of a Machine Gun, Possession of Class B Drugs, and Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a License.

Rodriguez is expected to be arraigned in East Boston District Court.

The Boston Police Department continues to investigate the incident.