NEW BEDFORD — Detectives arrested a 34-year-old man on multiple drug and firearm charges following a search of his apartment at Woodbridge Estates on Tuesday.
Justin Wheeler was charged with 37 offenses after police executed a search warrant at 1261 Church Street, Apt. B17, concluding an investigation into a fentanyl distribution operation.
During the search, detectives seized 96 grams of cocaine, 15.9 grams of fentanyl, and Suboxone strips.
Officers also discovered six 3D printed polymer pistol frames, one complete .40 caliber Smith & Wesson slide, two stripped pistol slides, and various pistol parts.
Additional items seized included three 3D printed pistol magazines, a 3D printer with accessories, 33 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 86 rounds of .556 ammunition, a narcotics press, cell phones, digital scales, packaging materials, and $3,470 in cash identified as drug proceeds.
Wheeler, who was on probation out of Bristol Superior Court at the time of his arrest, faces charges including trafficking in more than 10 grams of fentanyl, trafficking in 36 grams or more of cocaine, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and possession of untraceable firearms.
The arrest follows Massachusetts’ implementation of “An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws” last year, which prohibits unlicensed individuals from using 3D printers to manufacture firearms and criminalizes the creation, sale, or transfer of untraceable firearms.
