Last week, November 3, Alan Robinson, a 25-year-old Boston resident from Littleton was arrested on charges of cocaine and firearms trafficking. The arrest happened during a controlled purchase, a strategy often used by law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects involved in illegal trade. Law enforcement's close surveillance on the sale witnessed Robinson dealing four firearms, including two "ghost guns"—unregistered and untraceable weapons, one of which was an assault rifle. The information about the arrest was confirmed by the the Department of Justice. Robinson currently remains in detention awaiting a court hearing.
The legal strategy of a controlled purchase involves close law enforcement surveillance on the suspect and the use of a cooperating witness in the position of a buyer. The aim of these operations is to apprehend suspects to seize illegal firearms. A cooperating witness, sometimes a reformed or cooperating offender, bridges the gap between the officials and the suspect.
Following the arrest and a subsequent search warrant execution at Robinson's residence, an approximate amount of 3.3 kilograms of cocaine and miscellaneous firearms accessories were recovered. Among the confiscated items was a ghost gun assault rifle, a weapon lacking registration stamps or a traceable origin. These ghost guns bypass ownership laws and pose a problem for individuals banned from possessing firearms. According to the Department of Justice, Robinson knowingly traded these weapons to a banned individual.
