FALL RIVER, MA — Two people were arrested on firearms charges following a traffic stop and subsequent search warrant execution on Nov. 24.
At approximately 9:45 p.m., detectives assigned to CAST observed a gray Nissan Murano traveling east on Pleasant Street at a high rate of speed.
Detectives followed the vehicle as it continued through the Flint and into the Lower Highlands, where it committed multiple motor vehicle law violations and operated in an evasive manner.
A motor vehicle stop was subsequently conducted.
During the stop, the operator, Jose Fernando Cortez, 31, of Fall River, informed detectives that he had active warrants.
Cortez was removed from the vehicle and detained.
Through the investigation, detectives received information that a firearm was located inside the vehicle.
A search of the center console yielded a Taurus G3C 9mm handgun containing a 12-round magazine with 10 rounds of ammunition, including one round chambered.
A second 12-round magazine loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition was also recovered.
Cortez does not possess a License to Carry a Firearm in Massachusetts.
Detectives learned that Cortez’s girlfriend and the registered owner of the vehicle, Margarita Mercado Matos, 34, of Fall River, had an additional firearm at their residence.
Mercado Matos arrived on scene during the stop and was determined not to possess a Massachusetts License to Carry.
Detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the residence.
The search yielded a Glock 48 9mm handgun with a 10-round magazine containing 8 rounds, a Smith & Wesson SD9VE 9mm handgun, two additional 10-round magazines, three 16-round magazines, a box of 5.56 ammunition containing 20 rounds, a box of 9mm ammunition containing 25 rounds and two loose 9mm rounds.
Cortez was charged with possession of a large-capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a large-capacity feeding device, possession of ammunition without an FID card, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and marked lanes violation.
Mercado Matos was charged with two counts of possession of a large-capacity firearm, four counts of possession of a large-capacity feeding device, two counts of possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card, improper storage of a large-capacity firearm near a minor and three counts of reckless endangerment of a child.
