A 7 month long investigation ended this week in Monterey County with the arrest of 2 men suspected of manufacturing assault weapons. 30-year old Israel Espinoza and 45-year old Manuel Lopez face 14 counts of federal weapons charges after a search warrant was issued Wednesday in Salinas and Prunedale. Agents say the men were involved in assembling and trafficking the weapons possibly intended for Mexican drug cartels. The suspects were indicted on conspiracy and weapons charges December 8th. During the arrests, officers seized $22,000 in cash, firearms, ammunition and illegal drugs.
