APD proactive units seize large quantities of narcotics and firearms following anti-crime operation

On February 23, 2024 officers with Gun Violence Suppression Unit and the University Proactive Response Team were conducting an anti-crime operation within the University Area Command when they attempted to stop Charles Casias, 44 along Amherst. Casias fled from the traffic stop before he collided with another vehicle as he tried avoiding a spike belt at Isleta S.W. near Rio Bravo.

Casias was arrested on two felony warrants and was charged with Aggravated Fleeing an Officer, Traffic Accident Damaging a Vehicle, Concealing Identity and for a Suspended Registration.

On March 5, 2024, GVSU detectives executed a search warrant on Casias’ vehicle where they found guns, ammunition, and narcotics.

The following items were seized:

- Stolen Sig Sauer P365 Handgun
- Tan Glock 19X with a switch (full auto) and silencer
- 3, 245 Fentanyl pills
- 685 grams of Methamphetamine (Total of 1.51017 pounds)
- Syringe loaded with meth
- 38 grams of brown Heroin
- 31 grams of black tar heroin
- 10 grams of Cocaine
- 25 grams of pink and white crack cocaine
- Plastic baggies for resale of narcotics
- (32) 9mm cartridges
-2 magazines loaded with (17) rounds and (150) rounds 9mm
- (1) 40 caliber (1) 9mm cartridge
- 5 bundles of cut and packaged Suboxone strips
- (1) Magazine with 18 9mm cartridges
- (16) 45 caliber cartridges
- (1) additional extended 9mm magazine

Detectives with GVSU are working with the District Attorney’s Office to keep Casias detained until his trial. APD has also reached out to its federal partners to potentially adopt the case as Casias is a convicted felon who was armed while trafficking narcotics. Additionally, the firearms recovered are being tested to see if they could be connected to other crimes.