Explosives, guns seized from Napa County home linked to multi-county weapons bust

(KRON) — The California Highway Patrol seized guns and explosives from an American Canyon home within the past week, following an April 15 traffic stop in northern Mendocino County, which required a bomb squad response.

“A bag containing what appeared to be homemade fireworks was located in the vehicle,” The California Highway Patrol’s Garberville office said in a statement on April 21. “Additional material for making explosive devices was located in the bed of the vehicle. … Due to the dangers surrounding explosive material the Humboldt Regional Bomb Squad was requested to respond to the scene to ensure the material was handled safely. The bomb squad took samples from the devices and material and destroyed the devices on scene.”

The traffic stop ultimately resulted in three arrests and led authorities to a stockpile of weapons, including a ghost gun and pounds of material used to make homemade explosives, the CHP said. The arsenal was collectively seized from homes in Garberville, American Canyon and Alder Point.

During the search in Napa County, authorities seized five guns and material for making explosives.

“A search warrant was obtained for a residence in American Canyon,” CHP Garberville stated on social media Monday. “Due to the suspects’ criminal history, the presence of weapons and explosive material protocol dictates that a SWAT Team with all their safety equipment serve the warrant. At approximately [7:30 p.m.], the CHP SWAT Team and Hazardous Device Disposal Team served the search warrant. During the course of the search, five firearms were located, and additional material for making more destructive devices was seized.”

During the multi-day raid, authorities seized several pounds of destructive devices and supplies, one ghost gun, two rifles, five pistols, one shotgun, one short-barreled shotgun, one AK-style assault rifle with the serial numbers removed, several high-capacity magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Bomb technicians involved in the case determined that the seized explosive devices are considered destructive devices under California law, the CHP said.

KRON4 has reached out to the CHP for more information about the case but has not immediately received a response.