FALL RIVER – A Westport resident and two New Bedford residents, one of them currently in jail, were among 18 men indicted in connection with a federal and state probe into gun trafficking and narcotics sales in the Fall River area.
Five suspects, all from Fall River, have been charged in federal court while the remaining 13 are facing charges in state court, the Bristol County District Attorney's and U.S. Attorney's Office said Friday at a press conference in Fall River after indictments were unsealed.
Charged as part of the sweep, the U.S. Attorney's Office said, were Samuel Harwood, 18, of 126 Reed St., Westport; and, both of New Bedford, Norman Vilamarim, 32, of 379 New Valley Road, and Franco Santos, 23, Reynolds Street, who was previously indicted and is currently incarcerated.
Officials said Vilamarim was charged carrying a firearm, unlawful sale of a firearm and possession of a large capacity firearm and feed device. Harwood was charged with possession of an incendiary device, unlawful sale of a firearm and possession of a firearm, while Santos is charged with possession of a large capacity firearm; possession of a large capacity feeding device; carrying a firearm; carrying a loaded firearm; and possession of ammunition.
“Federal, state and local law enforcement will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who engage in the illegal use, possession or distribution of guns and drugs ... We will not stand by while a handful of criminals endanger lives and disrupt neighborhoods,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, in a news release.
Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter's office, the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Fall River Police Department also participated in the investigation.
