SPD FIU Detectives Seize Two Loaded Firearms and Drugs from Three Repeat Offenders
Springfield, Mass. — On Thursday August 11th at approximately 4:15 p.m. members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Sgt. Christopher Hitas seized two loaded firearms, heroin, crack-cocaine, oxycodone and nearly $600 in cash while arresting three suspects in a parking lot on the 800 block of Hall of Fame Avenue.
On Thursday afternoon FIU Detectives received information that Xavier Cuffee was illegally in possession of a firearm. Detectives then located a vehicle Cuffee was driving pull into a parking lot on the 800 block of Hall of Fame Avenue.
Detectives conducted a traffic stop and after attempting to drive away, Cuffee exited the car and attempted to run away. Detectives were able to take Cuffee into custody not far from his car.
Detectives also detained two passengers of the car; Kenneth Nero and Ayman Khalifa. A firearm was located inside the car. This firearm was loaded with seven rounds of ammunition.
A second firearm was then recovered inside the car. This firearm was loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition. An additional large capacity magazine capable of holding 29 rounds of ammunition was also seized from the vehicle. All three suspects were placed under arrest.
During a search Detectives recovered 17 bags of heroin, several bags of marijuana, more than 16 grams of crack-cocaine, oxycodone and $5885 in cash.
Cuffee was released from jail in February after a firearms conviction. Nero is out on bail for an open firearms case and a prior firearms conviction. Khalifa is on probation from a firearms charge as well.
22-year-old Xavier Cuffee of Chicopee is charged with:
- Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way
- Carrying a Firearm without a License
- Firearm Violation with Three Prior Violent/Drug Crimes
- Possession of a High Capacity Feeding Device
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License – Subsequent Offense
- Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm
- Possession of Ammunition
- Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
26-year-old Kenneth Nero of Springfield is charged with:
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License – Subsequent Offense
- Carrying a Firearm without a License
- Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way
- Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
23-year-old Ayman Khalifa of Springfield is charged with:
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug
- Possession with a the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
