Incident on Route 6 leads to drug and gun charges after 8 firearms, over 175 rounds, drugs seized

MARION — Chief Richard Nighelli reports that the Marion Police Department seized six additional firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and drugs following an investigation that stemmed from a drunken driving arrest.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, Marion Police responded to a gas station at 406 Wareham Road (Route 6) for a report of a man passed out in a vehicle. Officers secured a handgun from the man’s waistband.

67-year-old Brian M. Ewan of Wareham was arrested on nine charges.

Police conducting an inventory search of Ewan’s pickup truck located a sawed-off Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun. Marion Police then later applied for a search warrant out of Wareham District Court for Ewan’s truck, which was granted.

The vehicle search resulted in the seizure of six additional firearms (four handguns and two rifles), more than 175 rounds of handgun and rifle ammunition, multiple BB guns, cocaine, and another bag containing a brown powdery substance that requires further testing.

The firearms that were seized include a .22-caliber GSG Firefly handgun, .45-caliber Highpoint handgun, .44-caliber Pietta black powder pistol, .9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield handgun, Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 rifle, and upper and lower receiver parts for a .223/5.56-caliber rifle.

Ewan will be summonsed to court at a later date to face 14 additional charges:

• Possession of a Firearm Without a Firearms Identification Card (Subsequent Offense) (Four Counts)
• Possession of Ammunition Without a Firearms Identification Card (Subsequent Offense)
• Possession of an Unlicensed Assault Weapon
• Possession of a Large-Capacity Feeding Device (Five Counts)
• Receiving a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number
• Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number in the Commission of a Felony
• Possession of a Class B Drug

Following his original arraignment in Wareham District Court on Oct. 6, Ewan’s bail was set at $7,500.

“What began as an impaired driving investigation ultimately resulted in the recovery of eight firearms,” said Chief Nighelli. “I commend our officers and detectives for their thorough investigation and commitment to keeping our community safe.”

The Marion Police Department thanked the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which assisted with photographing evidence found during the execution of the search warrant.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.