From BPD News:
About 2:30am on Thursday, September 10, 2020, officers assigned to District C-6 (South Boston) conducted a traffic stop, which resulted in the recovery of a loaded a firearm and drugs, in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.
While on random patrol in the above area, an officer observed a red motor vehicle traveling the wrong way on Massachusetts Avenue towards Melena Cass Boulevard. In order to avoid a possible collision, and due to the fact that the vehicle continued traveling in the wrong direction without caution, the officer pulled his marked police cruiser behind the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.
The operator, later identified as Henry Vuong, 31 of Dorchester, stated that he made a wrong turn. The officer observed that Vuong had continuous facial tics, and that he was moving around in a spastic manner while making incoherent statements.
Based Vuongs mannerisms, as well as his careless operation, the officer asked him to exit the motor vehicle in order to conduct a road side assessment of his ability to operate a vehicle. Using his left hand, Vuong reached across his waist appearing to take off his seat belt, however his hand remained down by his waist side, with the belt still secured. Officers commanded Vuong to show his hands, at which time he informed them that he was in possession of a firearm.
Vuong and a passenger, identified as Mia Johnson, 25 of East Boston, were removed from the vehicle. Officers removed the firearm from Vuong’s waistband, and Vuong was placed under arrest. The firearm, a 9mm, was loaded with 27 live rounds in an extended magazine. A small plastic bag containing a crystal rock like substance, consistent to Methamphetamine, was recovered from Vuong’s pocket.
Officers observed a black duffle bag, containing a small purse and a black lock box, on the floor of the passenger side where Johnson had been seated. Further investigation of the black duffel bag revealed $578.00 in US Currency, 2 plastic bags containing a brown substance believed to be heroin/fentanyl, a digital scale, three large and one medium size clear plastic bags containing white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine, and one clear zip lock bag containing a brown substance believed to be heroin/fentanyl along with a clear bubble envelope containing multiple labels with the name “Heisenberg.”
Johnson was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Class A. Vuong was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Loaded Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Unlawful Possession of Large Capacity Feeding Device, Trafficking Class B; 200 grams or more, Possession Class A, and Operating Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. Vuong was also issued a MA Uniform Citation for Operating on a One-Way Street, and Operating Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. Both are expected to be arraigned in South Boston District Court.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.