New Bedford Man Arrested With Loaded Gun, Drugs After Wellness Check

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford man was arrested Monday after police officers found that he had drugs and a loaded firearm inside his vehicle while they were conducting a wellness check.

According to New Bedford Police, Officer Calob Jardin responded just after 5 a.m. on September 29 to Tarkiln Hill Road and Lawrence Street for a wellness check, after a vehicle reportedly stopped in the roadway with a person slumped over inside.

Officer Jardin arrived to find that the vehicle was running and the gear shift was in “drive.” He woke up the driver, identified as Igor Lima, 27, of New Bedford, and police said a strong odor of marijuana was detected inside the vehicle.

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Drugs and Gun Found in Vehicle

They said that Officer Jardin saw a plastic bag that was found to contain 21.4 grams of marijuana in the vehicle’s center console, along with a loaded Glock 43X handgun.

After removing Lima from the vehicle and patting him down, officers found a bag of suspected cocaine weighing 5.7 grams, a dispensary-labeled bag of marijuana weighing 6.9 grams, and a digital scale.

Charges Filed Against New Bedford Driver

He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance, possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, OUI liquor, and carrying a firearm while intoxicated.