A Randolph man is facing gun and drug charges following a traffic stop in Brockton.
Massachusetts State Police say that shortly before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday troopers were travelling on Westgate Dr. where they saw the driver of a white Nissan SUV looking down at a cell phone they were holding.
The troopers stopped the vehicle as it entered Route 24 northbound.
They then approached the vehicle and requested that the driver, 34-year-old Antenor Ruddy, provide his license and registration.
They then conducted an electronic inquiry which revealed that his license was suspended.
Ruddy was taken into custody and State Police say, during a search of his vehicle, a trooper noticed loose and ajar molding surrounding the center cup holder/shifter area where they found a hidden loaded Ruger .380 pistol along with multiple plastic bags containing a large amount of a white substance suspected to be cocaine.
A subsequent search uncovered more drug paraphernalia with the total amount of narcotics seized being 19 grams of a substance suspected to be crack cocaine and 38 grams of a substance suspected to be powder cocaine.
Ruddy was scheduled for arraignment in Brockton District Court on charges of Trafficking in Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm with 3 Prior Violent/Drug Crimes; Carrying a Loaded Firearm; Possession of a Firearm/Ammunition without FID Card, Subsequent Offense; Possession of a Firearm while in Commission of a Felony, Subsequent Offense; Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License; and Holding Electronic Device while Driving.
Photo Credit: Massachusetts State Police
