New Bedford Man Arrested After Major Gun and Drug Bust

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Police arrested a city man on multiple gun and drug charges following a joint investigation with Massachusetts State Police.

Joint Investigation Leads to Search Warrants in New Bedford

According to police, detectives with the Violent Crime Intelligence Unit conducted the investigation alongside the MSP Detective Unit. It led to the execution of a search warrant on April 2 at 334 Earle Street, Apartment 2E, as well as a garage at 83 Trinity Street.

The investigation was into the illegal possession and distribution of narcotics, and the target was Steven Ellis, 36.

Weapons, Drugs Found in New Bedford Apartment and Garage

Police said a search of Ellis’s residence turned up 96 Suboxone strips, three firearms, and packaging materials consistent with drug distribution. They said he does not possess a license to carry or a Firearms Identification Card. The three firearms recovered from the apartment were registered to Ellis’s girlfriend, who does have a license to carry. Police said the firearms were seized and her license to carry was revoked by Fairhaven Police, who had issued the LTC.

Get our free mobile app

A search of the garage on Trinity Street turned up a Marlin Model 989M2 .22 caliber rifle, a Springfield Model 67 16-gauge shotgun, a Remington Sportsman 20-gauge shotgun, a Polymer80 ghost gun, a .22 caliber pistol with a defaced serial number, a taser, approximately 16.9 grams of cocaine, 55 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, multiple rounds of ammunition, and two large-capacity magazines.

Extensive Charges Filed Against Suspect

Ellis was arrested and charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug, possession of a Class C drug, six counts of carrying a firearm without a license, defacing a serial number on a firearm, possession of an untraceable firearm, five counts of possession of ammunition without an FID card, and two counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device.

New Bedford Police Chief Highlights Importance of Collaboration

“This case is a strong example of the partnership between our department and the Massachusetts State Police,” New Bedford Police Chief Jason Thody said. “By working together and combining our resources, we’re able to build stronger cases, carry out thorough investigations, and take illegal drugs, firearms, and other dangerous items off our streets. This kind of collaboration is critical to protecting the city and holding offenders accountable.”