For Immediate Release

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Newburyport Police Seize Two Guns in Drug Arrest

NEWBURYPORT — Marshal Mark Murray reports that the Newburyport Police seized two guns, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, heroin and over four pounds of marijuana when they arrested two men on Saturday.

TRAEVON MCGAIRTY, AGE 22, OF MOFFAT, COLORADO and KAHILAND PHILLIPS, AGE 22, OF BROOMFIELD, COLORADO were both charged with:

• Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
• Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm While Committing a Felony
• Carrying a Firearm Without a License
• Sell/Possess an Electric Stun Gun
• Possession of Ammunition Without a FID Card
• Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device (Two Counts)
• Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm
• Improper Storage of a Firearm
• Possession to Distribute a Class A Drug (Heroin)
• Possession to Distribute a Class D Drug (Marijuana)

At approximately 4:46 a.m. Saturday, Newburyport Police were dispatched to the Mobil gas station, 76 Storey Ave, to perform a welfare check.

A store clerk reported that a man had been asleep in a car in the parking lot for a few hours and was concerned that the man may have been passed out.

Upon arrival officers found two men, later identified as MCGAIRTY and PHILLIPS, who were asleep in the car.

Because of the dark tint on the car’s windows and because they could not see inside of the vehicle, officers asked the men to get out of the car.

When PHILLIPS got out of the driver’s seat an officer saw a handgun in plain view near the seat.

The gun was seized and both men were taken into custody and place under arrest. The subsequent investigation determined that neither of the men had a license to carry a firearm.

In searching the vehicle, officers found a duffel bag with another handgun inside and 210 rounds of ammunition. They also seized nine grams of suspected heroin, more than four pounds of marijuana in vacuum sealed bags, a stun gun and $927 in cash from the car.

Both men are being held on bail and are expected to be arraigned Monday in Newburyport District Court.

“This is an example of what officers can come across during something as routine as a welfare check,” Marshal Murray said. “I think the officers did a great job and their efforts led to getting two guns and a significant amount of drugs off of our streets.”

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

###