State Police arrest Bristol man on gun and drug charges after allegedly using mail to deal narcotics

The Rhode Island State Police announced that on Thursday, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, assisted by members of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Bristol Police Department, arrested 37-year-old Collin Gaska of Bristol, Rhode Island on firearms and narcotics charges.

This seizure and arrest were the result of an investigation initiated by the Rhode Island State Police HIDTA Task Force and United State Postal Inspection Service. During this investigation, it was determined that Gaska was alleged to be utilizing the United States mail system to obtain illegal narcotics for resale. At the conclusion of this investigation, members of the HIDTA Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service and Bristol Police Department, executed a court authorized search warrant. During this search warrant, the following items were seized: a 9mm semi-automatic privately made firearm otherwise known as a “ghost gun”, approximately 170 grams of methamphetamine, 20 grams of GHB powder, a small amount of Ketamine, and narcotics distribution materials.

Gaska was processed at the Bristol Police Department then special arraigned by a Justice of the Peace. Gaska was remanded to the Adult Correctional Facility pending his formal arraignment at 6th Division District Court. Firearms charges included possession of a ghost gun, possession of a firearm while committing a controlled substance violation, and possession of a firearm by certain persons prohibited. Narcotic charges include possession of methamphetamine in excess of 1 ounce, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance (ketamine).

The Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force is comprised of members from the Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police Department, North Providence Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Middletown Police Department, Bristol Police Department, Narragansett Police Department, Johnston Police Department, DEA Providence District Office, and Department and Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program.