A traffic stop on a vehicle at a gas station along Lathrop Road this week yielded both a stolen gun and a quantity of illegal narcotics.

According to the Lathrop Police Department, officers on patrol noticed a vehicle at the Mobil station on Lathrop Road that did not have any license plates. When officers contacted the driver, they discovered that they were unlicensed and received consent to search the vehicle – where they found 38 grams of a substance believed to be methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun.

A search on the serial number on the handgun determined that the gun was stolen, and the suspect was taken into custody and booked in the San Joaquin County Jail on a number of gun and drug-related charges.

The discovery of suspects in possession of stolen or illegal guns has been an issue this year in the South County. Earlier this year the Manteca Police Department said that it was averaging the recovery of an illegal firearm while on patrol every other day – highlighting the issue that presents challenges and safety concerns for both officers and the public that they serve.

The Lathrop Police Department, which has been providing law enforcement services as an extension of the City of Lathrop since late June, had an incident earlier this month where a suspect that fled when officers tried to conduct a traffic stop had both a loaded short-barrel shotgun and a loaded semiautomatic handgun in the vehicle.

That suspect was wanted on an outstanding warrant for assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer out of Stockton.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.