SHREWSBURY – Three people face charges after police allegedly found a firearm, heroin and cocaine during a traffic stop.
On Sept. 26 at 9:32 p.m., a Shrewsbury officer stopped a vehicle for reportedly speeding near 1000 Boston Turnpike.
According to a press release from the Shrewsbury Police Department, the vehicle was occupied by three men. Police reportedly saw a bag of cocaine and a firearm magazine loaded with 19 rounds near the feet of a passenger in the rear.
Other officers arrived. When they investigated, police located a Ruger 57 handgun in the backseat passenger’s waistband that was fully loaded with a 20 round magazine and one round chambered, according to the release.
Police reportedly also located 23 grams of crack cocaine, 10 bags of heroin, “multiple” bags of a substance that has yet to be tested and $8,100 cash.
Michael Diaz, 24, of Woonsocket, R.I.; Jerry Cartagena Jr., 32, of Worcester; and Steven Avila, 40, of Worcester were charged with trafficking a Class B substance, possession of a Class A substance with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute and possession of a Class E substance with intent to distribute.
Diaz was also charged with two counts of possession of a large capacity firearm/magazine, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license and using a firearm in a felony.
Cartagena also faces charges of speeding and a marked lane violation.
