Staties: Texting stop leads to ‘ghost gun,’ drugs, cash

A Springfield man was arrested on several drug and weapons charges after Massachusetts State Police found a “ghost gun” and six different kinds of drugs.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, MSP Gang Unit Troopers stopped what they said was a vehicle they recognized from various drug crimes, a statement by the department said. The driver — later identified as 33-year-old Jonathan Casiano — was texting and driving and troopers stopped the car at Union and Oak streets in Springfield.

When troopers searched the car, they found a black semi-automatic handgun — what they called a “ghost gun” as it had no markings or serial number on it. Ghost guns aren’t legally made and can’t be traced. The gun also had a high-capacity magazine loaded with 15 9mm rounds.

Inside the car, troopers also found 74 grams of cocaine, 810 individual dose baggies of heroin, 486 Oxycodone pills, 67 Gabapentin tablets, 2 grams of methamphetamine, Adderall tablets and nearly $10,000 in cash. They also found scales, baggies and three cellphones.

MSP said as Casiano was being put into the police cruiser he shouted, “Baby I’m going to jail!”

Casiano was charged with unlawful carrying of a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a high-capacity magazine, committing a firearm offense with prior drug offenses, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, two counts of trafficking and two counts of possession with intent to distribute. He was also cited for texting while driving.

He is being held on $50,000 bail.