Huntington Station man, two sons arrested on drugs, weapons charges, Suffolk police say
Zachary Watkins Sr., 75, left, and his sons, Zachary Watkins Jr., 46, center, and Tracy Watkins, 42, all of Huntington Station, were arrested Thursday, June 25, 2015, on drug and weapon charges, authorities said. Credit: SCPD
A 75-year-old Huntington Station man and his two sons were arrested early Thursday on drug and weapons charges after Suffolk police officers searched their home and found a stash of drugs, cash and ammunition, authorities said.
Officers serving a 6 a.m. search warrant at the home arrested Zachary Watkins Sr. and his sons -- Zachary Watkins Jr. 46, and Tracy Watkins, 42 -- police said.
When they entered the home at 28 11th Ave., officers from several specialized units found a loaded and defaced TEC-9 semiautomatic handgun with a large-capacity magazine, along with two other loaded handguns and an imitation pistol. In addition, police found a bulletproof vest and more than 500 rounds of ammunition.
Investigators also found crack and marijuana with a combined street value of about $3,000, digital scales, drug-packaging equipment and $3,700 in cash, police said.
Detectives from the Narcotics Section, the Criminal Intelligence Bureau, the Emergency Service Section, the Canine Section as well as officers from the Second Precinct's gang unit and patrol section took part in the search, officials said.
Zachary Watkins and his sons were each charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and two counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia, all felonies. The elder Watkins was also charged with three counts of criminal possession of a firearm, police said.
Officials from Huntington Town Code Enforcement issued 32 violations for code infractions to Watkins Sr. and code enforcement officials are continuing their investigation to determine if the home will be declared uninhabitable, police said.
The three are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Friday.
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