Authorities have confiscated more than 70 illegal guns and plan to charge 150 people as part of a four-month initiative to reduce violent crime in New Haven and Bridgeport.
Operation Samson was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with help from the Connecticut State Crime Lab. It’s designed to take dangerous firearms off the streets and help keep the cities safer.
Officials announced the results at a press conference in New Haven on Wednesday.
Of the 70 weapons seized, more than half originated in Connecticut, according to officials. Sawed-off shotguns and rifles, military-style weapons and a silencer were among the firearms recovered.
Authorities also confiscated more than a kilogram of crack cocaine and other drugs as part of the sweep.
“We uncovered alleged firearms trafficking rings that utilized both out-of-state and in-state straw purchasers, some of those who accepted narcotics in exchange for firearms,” said ATF Special in Charge Daniel Kumor.
Arrestees will face state and federal firearms, drug and robbery charges, authorities said. They hope the crackdown will deter people from committing future crimes.
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“To those who continue to threaten our neighborhoods with gun violence, make no mistake, you’re next,” Kumor warned.
