Police: 7 Assault Rifles, High-Capacity Magazines Found In Newport Beach Car

NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A man and a woman faced multiple weapons charges Wednesday after Newport Beach police found seven AK-47 assault rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in their vehicle, authorities said.

The discovery was made during a traffic stop about 8:50 p.m. Nov. 14 near the intersection of Bristol Street South and Irvine Avenue, Newport Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella said.

An officer saw a green Dodge Caravan leaving a gas station with expired registration and an unspecified equipment violation, Manzella said.

The officer conducted a vehicle stop and determined that the driver had a suspended license and that the vehicle's other occupant was on probation, according to police.

A search of the van revealed that there were seven AK-47 assault rifles, six 30-round high-capacity .762-caliber magazines, two 10-round magazines, and over 350 rounds of .762-caliber ammunition inside, police said.

One of those rifles had been reported stolen out of the state of Georgia, and all the rifles were modified to fire in fully automatic mode, Manzella said. The barrel on one of the weapons had been sawed off shorter than 16 inches in violation of California state law.

The search also revealed drug paraphernalia, burglary tools, and a notebook with identity theft information inside the van, according to Manzella.

Officers arrested Andrew Cardiel, 42, of Banning, and Heather Gurule, 30, of Yucaipa, on several charges, including transporting a machine gun, possession of a short-barreled rifle, possession of high-capacity magazines and conspiracy.

Cardiel was also charged with possession of burglary tools, possession of drug paraphernalia, false evidence of registration and driving on a suspended license.

Both suspects were being held on $500,000 bail.