Three men charged in major illegal gun and drug ring that operated in Westchester, NYC area

Investigators recovered illegal guns trafficked from Massachusetts to New York. About a quarter of them were sold on the streets of Port Chester, according to officials.

Jonathan Gordon

Mar 16, 2023, 2:20 AM

Updated 573 days ago

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State and federal agents busted a major illegal gun and drug ring that operated in Westchester and the New York City area, leading to the arrests of three people.
Investigators recovered illegal guns trafficked from Massachusetts to New York. About a quarter of them were sold on the streets of Port Chester, according to officials.
A total of 19 illegal guns were found, including a dozen ghost guns, during the 16-month-long investigation.
Ghost guns are unregulated firearms that anyone can buy, build, and use without a background check.
Eduardo Hernandez, Jose Garcia and Euclides Castillo were all charged in the 123-count indictment.
Castillo, who was once employed by major gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson, used his prior work experience to explain to buyers how to compile and operate illegal guns, according to Attorney General Letitia James.
Garcia allegedly sold five illegal weapons from an unnamed location in the village between March 2021 and July 2022.
Hernandez faces up to 25 years in prison, Garcia up to 15 years and Castillo up to seven years if convicted.
Village manager Stuart Rabin tells News 12 in a statement, that Port Chester thanks James and other law enforcement for getting this significant threat off the streets.