New Bedford Man Sent To Prison On Drugs And Weapons Charges

A New Bedford man will spend the next 41/2-to-6 years in state prison.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced that 40 year old Manuel Vasquez, formerly of Coggeshall Street, pleaded guilty on Monday to possession of an illegal firearm, a repeat offense, plus unlawful possession of ammunition, also a repeat offense, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Vasquez was picked up last December after police carried out a search warrant at his apartment and found 14 grams of heroin, a loaded 22 caliber pistol plus a starters pistol.

Vasquez was sentenced by Judge Gary Nickerson in Fall River Superior Court.