Spokane police seize large amount of drugs, guns in several East Central busts during the weekend

The Spokane Police department seized a significant amount of guns and drugs in four separate incidents over the weekend.

The first stop happened just after 10 p.m. Friday, when officers Tyler Heiman and Elijah Hayward noticed a suspicious vehicle near Fourth Avenue and Thor Street, according to a department news release.

The officers caught up to the vehicle and apparently noticed a firearm in plain view. After applying for a search warrant, the officers found four firearms and meth and heroin inside, the news release states. They still are working to identify the vehicle’s occupants.

The second stop took place around 10 p.m. Saturday, when Officer Brandon Rankin stopped a vehicle near Third Avenue and Altamont Street. The car was driven by Julian Montano, 20, who had a warrant for his arrest and was driving on a suspended license, the release states.

During the arrest, Rankin found what he believed to be heroin and a firearm near the driver’s seat, the release says. Rankin also applied for a search warrant and found another five additional firearms, including three military-style rifles.

Heiman and Hayward stopped another vehicle near Division Street and Pacific Avenue about 1 a.m. Saturday. The car was driven by 65-year-old Eugene Stillwell, the release states. Officers found meth, heroin and multiple Electronic Benefits Transfer cards.

The final stop happened early Monday morning just before 12:30 a.m., again by Heiman and Hayward. They noticed a group of people acting suspiciously in the area of Cook Street and Hartson Avenue, according to the release.

As they pulled up, 24-year-old Taqiuddin Khalid dropped a backpack and claimed it wasn’t his as he was walking away, police said. When officers looked inside, they found an illegally sawed-off shotgun, meth and heroin. They also found brass knuckles in his pocket.

Khalid had a felony warrant for his arrest in Idaho.