The bust took place around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after members of the Stamford Police Narcotics and Organized Crime squad received word that Fransico Ferro of Thornwood would be in the area of Knickerbocker Avenue with the weapon, said Capt. Richard Conklin.
Members of the squad set-up on the area and pulled Ferro over when he arrived in a black VW Jetta, Conklin said.
When officers approached the vehicle they told Ferro to put his hands in the air and asked if he had a weapon, Conklin said.
Ferro told officers he had an "antique" weapon in the trunk of the vehicle. Officers opened the trunk and found a .50 caliber Desert Eagle semi-automatic pistol loaded with a 7-round magazine, he said.
"The Desert Eagle is a large gun that is very potent and is made in Israel," Conklin said.
During a search, officers also found one 2-mg clonazepam pill.
Ferro was charged with possession of a pistol with no permit, possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
He is being held on $100,000 bond.
"Another good job by the squad taking guns off the streets without any injuries on either side," Conklin said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Pelham and receive free news updates.