SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit arrested a 35-year-old Hartford, Connecticut man Tuesday after seizing a loaded ghost gun, heroin, crack cocaine and cash during a search warrant execution on Orange Street.
Rondell Palmer was taken into custody around 12:30 p.m. after attempting to flee by jumping over a porch, according to police.
The arrest followed a weeks-long investigation into illegal drug distribution from an apartment in the 200 block of Orange Street.
Officers recovered a large-capacity ghost gun capable of holding 17 rounds of ammunition, additional ammunition, more than $4,000 in cash and approximately 219 bags of heroin and crack cocaine.
Six other people were detained in and around the apartment but were later released.
The operation involved members of the Springfield Police Metro Unit and Hampden County Sheriff’s Department under the direction of Captain Joseph Dunn and Lieutenant Jaime Bruno.
Palmer faces charges including possession of a covert firearm, possession of a large capacity firearm during commission of a felony, improper storage of a large capacity firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession with intent to distribute Class A and Class B drugs, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.
