A Pottstown man who was led into a breathalyzer test as a passenger in one of hundreds of vehicles over the weekend was found to be in possession of a ghost gun with an extended magazine, police said.
Karon Brown, 20, was arrested for violating the firearms act and possession of a small amount of marijuana at the Route 422 checkpoint in Exeter Township. Brown is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he is under 21.
He was released on $40,000 bail after appearing before U.S. District Judge Sandra L. Fegely in Reading District Court on Saturday.
According to researchers:
Officers smelled marijuana as the vehicle Brown was a passenger in entered the checkpoint. The driver, who was subsequently arrested for suspected DUI, was sent to the field for field sobriety tests along with Brown and another passenger.
Officers noticed a large bulge on the front pocket of Brown’s sweatshirt. When they frisked him, they found an unregistered 9mm semi-automatic pistol. It had no serial number, making it virtually impossible for police to find. The magazine was designed to hold 24 rounds, but contained six.
All three occupants of the car were charged with marijuana possession.
The driver was one of seven people arrested for suspected drunk driving during the traffic stop on Perkiomen Avenue at 47th Street in Reiffton, from 10 p.m. Friday night to 2 a.m. Saturday morning.
In total, 11 people were charged with drug offenses and one wanted person was arrested. An out-of-state driver was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence for which a DUI had been revoked.
Police issued 63 traffic fines, including five for ignoring the instructions for use of child seats.
A total of 568 vehicles entered the checkpoint.
The Exeter Police Department received assistance at the checkpoint from the Exeter Township Fire Department, the Township Road Department, and the following police departments: Cumru, Muhlenberg, South Heidelberg Townships, Central Berks Regional, Laureldale, Hamburg, Wyomissing and Shillington.
