Pacifica: East Bay men arrested on weapon and drug charges

Police say three loaded handguns and a large amount of marijuana were found during Nov. 5 traffic stop

PACIFICA – A pair of Pittsburg men was arrested on suspicion of possessing loaded handguns and marijuana for sale in Pacifica earlier this month, authorities said.

The arrests stemmed from a traffic stop just before midnight Nov. 5, when an officer observed a vehicle speeding on Highway 1, the Pacifica Police Department said in a news release Thursday.

The officer smelled marijuana and the driver admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle, police said. A passenger in the front seat also reportedly produced a rolled marijuana cigarette.

Police said the driver, a 20-year-old man, and front-seat passenger, a 22-year-old man, were determined to be armed, and officers found a large amount of marijuana with paraphernalia associated with sales and three loaded handguns with high-capacity magazines.

Two other passengers – an 18-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl – were later released with no criminal charges.

The men were arrested and booked into San Mateo County jail on charges of possessing an unregistered handgun, carrying a loaded handgun, occupying a vehicle while possessing a concealed firearm, possessing marijuana for sale and child endangerment.

Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at 650-738-7314.