Drugs, Ghost Gun, Cash: Suspected Drug Trafficker Busted In Springfield: Police

Springfield police busted a suspected drug trafficker at his home this week after investigating him for a month, authorities said.

Springfield police arrested Rafael Villanueva-Colon earlier this week on drug and gun charges, officials said.
Photo Credit: *Springfield Police Department*

Josh Lanier

02/24/2023 3:47 p.m.

Rafael Villanueva-Colon, 26, of Springfield, was caught with heroin, cocaine, a loaded ghost gun, and thousands in cash when officers arrested him on Wednesday, Feb. 22, Springfield police said.

Members of the firearms investigation unit were watching Villanueva-Colon as he pulled out of the driveway of his Beacon Street home on Wednesday and pulled him over a short time after. Inside the car, investigators found nearly 200 bags of heroin in a box hidden under his sweatshirt, 26 grams of cocaine, $5,200 in cash, and a large-capacity ghost gun, Springfield police said. A ghost gun is a firearm that can't be traced.

Police arrested him and charged him with —

Cocaine trafficking 18-36 Grams
Possession with the intent to distribute a Class A drug
Possession of a firearm without an FID card
Possession of a large-capacity firearm
Improper storage of a large-capacity Firearm
Possession of ammunition without an FID card

While it's only February, Springfield police have seized ten ghost guns this year, officials said.

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