Rohnert Park police find drugs and guns in traffic stop

A traffic stop Tuesday night led to Rohnert Park Public Safety officers seizing three handguns, a large amount of marijuana and likely methamphetamine.

Officers pulled over a Ford Expedition around 10:30 p.m. on Commerce Boulevard in Cotati after witnessing a traffic violation in Rohnert Park, said Sgt. Jeff Justice.

Police noticed a strong smell of marijuana as they approached the SUV, according to a Rohnert Park Public Safety statement.

The two people inside the vehicle, Sergio Mendez-Zurita, 24, of Santa Rosa, and Saul Esquivel-Gutierrez, 26, of Cotati, provided officers with identification issued in Mexico. When one of the men opened the glove box for the insurance and registration papers, the officers noticed a high-capacity magazine for an assault rifle, the statement said.

The two were removed from the SUV and Mendez-Zurita was found with what appeared to be methamphetamine. When officers searched the vehicle they discovered two large garbage bags stuffed with numerous 1-pound bags of marijuana. The total weight of the marijuana seizure was not disclosed.

Police also found three handguns - two loaded - and a high-capacity magazine for a handgun under the center console, according to the statement.

Mendez-Zurita and Esquivel-Gutierrez were booked in Sonoma County Jail on multiple drugs and weapons charges and are being held on $30,000 bail.

Nick Rahaim