Three persons were arrested in a Wednesday evening, April 1 traffic stop of a pickup with no operable taillights which led to a discovery of guns and drugs.

Officer Kao Saechao stopped the vehicle at the South Ninth Street and Hosmer Avenue at 10:46 p.m.

Officer Saechao discovered driver Melanie Moreno, 28, of Modesto, was unlicensed while passenger Stacie Harris, 29, of Modesto, was on searchable probation. 

Other officers arrived to conduct a probation search of the vehicle, which was also occupied by passenger Rene Cervantes, 36, of Ceres.

Inside the rear passenger seat was a large black tote containing numerous immature marijuana plants. Two similar totes in the bed of the truck contained immature marijuana plants. A 9mm Uzi style sub machine gun was located under one of the seats. Also found were an extended magazine for the sub machine gun, fully loaded with ammunition, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Approximately three grams of suspected methamphetamine, along with a glass smoking pipe, were also located in the vehicle. 

Cervantes faces charges of possession of an illegal assault weapon, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Harris faces charges of possession of an illegal assault weapon, possession of marijuana for sale and cultivating marijuana. 

Moreno faces charges of possession of an illegal assault weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.