March 22, 2022- 7:00 p.m.
More than a dozen firearms were seized and a Southington man was taken into custody this week in connection with an ongoing investigation into illegal ghost gun trafficking, according to authorities.
Connecticut State Police said several state police task forces worked with multiple local police departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on a long-term investigation into the illegal trafficking of ghost guns in the greater Waterbury area.
Police said the ghost guns were illegally sold and made without serial numbers.
On Monday, multiple search warrants were served in Shelton, Waterbury and Wolcott as part of the investigation, police said.
The warrants led investigation to multiple illegally sold and possessed guns, including AR-15 variant rifles and guns, high-capacity magazines and ammunition. Police said investigators also seized narcotics and other contraband.
State police said Joyce’s arrest is part of law enforcement’s ongoing effort to “disrupt weapons-related violence” in Connecticut.
“It’s not a surprise that we are seeing ghost guns in Connecticut, nor is it a surprise that they located a source of ghost guns in Connecticut,” said Jeremy Stein, executive director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, an organization that advocates for tighter gun laws.
“These are intended for people who want to bypass the background and permit to purchase system, so clearly these are people who already intend on breaking the law.”
It was not immediately clear how many weapons were seized, or how the alleged ghost guns were assembled. State police said Tuesday evidence is still being processed in the case.
His bond was set at $500,000. He’s expected in court on April 6.
