CANOGA PARK (CBSLA.com) — Police say two people were detained Monday after a live pipe bomb was found in their SUV during a traffic stop.

Police stopped the car at Sherman Way and Owensmouth Avenue about 1 a.m. Monday for not having a license plate and detained the occupants for possible drug violations, Los Angeles police spokeswoman Norma Eisenman said.

During the stop, the officer spotted drugs and the bomb, police said. A bulging suitcase also appeared to be suspicious, KNX 1070 reports.

“The suitcase in the back was X-rayed, which appeared to have bowling balls in the suitcase,” LAPD Ray Diaz said. “And it was confirmed that there were bowling balls in the suitcase.”

A bomb squad was called in and they disarmed what they describe as a “live explosive device.”

Traffic had to be diverted around the area for several hours. The area was declared safe at about 6 a.m.

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