By: Laura Soukkavong
New Bedford – On Thursday, April 2, members of the New Bedford Police Department’s Violent Crime Intelligence Unit (VCIU), working in coordination with the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit (SPDU), investigated suspected narcotics activity involving a residence on Earle Street and a garage on Trinity Street.
The investigation focused on Steven Ellis, 36, who was identified as the target of the search.
As a result of search warrants executed at both locations, detectives recovered a significant quantity of narcotics and weapons, including:
- 96 Suboxone film strips
- Approximately 17 grams of cocaine
- Approximately 55 grams of psilocybin (mushrooms)
Authorities also seized multiple firearms and related items, including:
- Marlin Model 989M2 .22 caliber rifle
- Springfield Model 67 16-gauge shotgun
- Remington Sportsman 20-gauge shotgun
- Polymer80 “ghost gun”
- .22 caliber pistol with a defaced serial number
- Electronic control weapon (“taser”) capable of accepting a cartridge
- Approximately 190 rounds of ammunition
- Two high-capacity magazines
Police stated that Ellis does not possess a valid License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification Card (FID) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In addition, three firearms belonging to Ellis’s girlfriend—who does hold a valid LTC—were seized administratively. Her license has since been suspended by the Fairhaven Police Department pending further review.
Ellis is expected to face multiple firearms and narcotics-related charges. The arrest was led by Detective Samuel Algarin-Mojica of the VCIU.
Officials emphasized that the volume of drugs and weapons recovered posed a serious threat to the community. The coordinated effort between local and state law enforcement highlights an ongoing commitment to public safety in New Bedford.
The New Bedford Police Department encourages anyone with information regarding criminal activity to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 508-99-CRIME or through the department’s online reporting system.