A Long Beach man is facing 59 charges after authorities said a months-long investigation led to the seizure of 23 illegal firearms, large quantities of drugs and about $100,000 in cash from his home.
Charles Burns, 34, was arrested Friday, Aug. 21, after investigators executed a search warrant at his home on Rev. J.J. Evans Boulevard, according to information released by authorities during a Monday news conference.
Burns pleaded not guilty Saturday in Nassau County First District Court and was ordered held without bail.
The investigation began in March when the Long Beach Police Department contacted the FBI for assistance with a suspected narcotics distribution network operating in the city, FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Ratta said.
Investigators focused on people suspected of transporting cocaine, fentanyl and other controlled substances from Queens into Long Beach.
Authorities said the search of Burns’ home uncovered 23 illegal guns, including semi-automatic weapons, handguns and high-capacity magazines, along with approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition. At least three guns had their serial numbers removed and at least one was a ghost gun, according to authorities.
Investigators also recovered more than 230 grams of cocaine, approximately 536 grams of methamphetamine, 15 grams of fentanyl and 13 grams of MDMA, along with pills and drug-packaging materials.
About $100,000 in cash was also seized.
“Guns and drugs are the poison that destroy our neighborhood, they fuel gang activity and put innocent lives in danger,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said at the news conference.
Donnelly also pointed to the number of firearms recovered.
“Nobody has this amount of guns in their home if they’re not selling them or lending them to other people who are committing illegal acts,” she said.
Burns faces 59 counts involving criminal possession of weapons and controlled substances. Authorities said he could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge.
Investigators are working to determine where the firearms came from, whether any were trafficked from outside New York and whether any of the weapons were used in violent crimes.
Donnelly noted that authorities had taken down another alleged illegal gun dealer on the same block almost exactly two years earlier.
“It is my intent to make sure that Charles Burns and that defendant become neighbors again in prison,” Donnelly said.
The investigation involved the Long Beach Police Department, FBI and Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and remains ongoing.
