Federal agents believe that Ogdensburg weapons suspect John Rumble was associated with a drug trafficking ring and that he tried to trade explosives and weapons for marijuana.
The allegations are in an affidavit filed by a Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent and obtained by NewsWatch50. The affidavit was filed in support of the search warrant that led to Rumble's arrest on Thursday.
DEA Special Agent Timothy Sinnigen wrote that electronic surveillance intercepts indicated that Rumble was a close associate of 42 year old Louis Tomassini.
Tomassini, of Rensselaer Falls, was arrested in October after a federal raid on his home turned up 73 weapons, cocaine and a large amount of marijuana.
Agent Sinnigen wrote that it's believed Rumble attempted to trade explosives and weapons for marijuana.
Sinnigen wrote that another weapons and drug suspect, whose name is blacked out on the affidavit, was also a close associate of Tomassini.
That person told agents that Tomassini had a Sten submachine gun that had been modified to fire a 30-round magazine with a single pull of the trigger. Only Rumble could have modified the gun, the suspect told agents.
The same suspect told agents that Rumble had offered to trade him pistols and a satellite dish for marijuana, according to the affidavit.
Another person quoted in the affidavit is identified only as "a cooperating source" CS/1.
CS/1 told agents that Rumble had gone to a house in Ogdensburg and tried to sell the occupants live hand grenades. CS/1 did not know if any grenades were actually delivered.
"Based upon (name blacked out) and CS/1 statements, I believe that Rumble is an unlawful user of marijuana in possession of a federal firearms license and numerous firearms," Agent Sinnigen wrote.
CS/1 has known Rumble since spring, 2008 and has personally smoked marijuana with Rumble but has not been arrested and is not facing any criminal charges, Sinnigen wrote.
Sinnigen wrote that electronic surveillance intercepts overheard Rumble discussing building AK-47 assault rifles and other weapons from kits, and attempting to exchange ammunition for an assault rifle with a prohibited person.
The Thursday raid on Rumble's King Street home allegedly turned up about 175 guns along with scales containing marijuana residue.
Authorities described bunker-like accommodations in Rumble's home and a bear trap set just inside a window.
