Firearms and 62 pounds of suspected methamphetamine were confiscated by the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force on Friday.
The items were found when search warrants were served at two properties, Sgt. Paul Heredia of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a press release. The task force discovered drugs plus multiple firearms, including two .45-caliber semi-automatic handguns.
The items served as "evidence indicative of narcotics sales," Heredia said.
Gang Task Force officers arrested 23-year-old Juan Gasca Nava of Coachella on several felony charges, according to the press release. The charges include possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of a short-barrel rifle, possession of an assault rifle, and possession of an unregistered loaded firearm. Nava was booked at John Benoit Detention Center, where he awaits trial.
The task force served a search warrant at two residences at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the press release noted. One was located in the 51000 block of Tyler Street in Coachella; the other was in the 45000 block of Senegal Place in Indio.
Heredia asked anyone with information about the suspect to call Officer Vela, a task force member, at 760-836-1600. All non-emergency information regarding gang-related activity should be reported through the department's online tip form at riversidesheriff.org/FormCenter.