Alleged Norwalk gang member faces drug, gun charges

Authorities said they confiscated more than a dozen guns from the Norwalk home of Mario Hernandez. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department photo)

NORWALK — A 56-year-old alleged gang member was facing possible drug and firearm possession charges Friday after his arrest in Norwalk, where a search warrant turned up rifles, pistols, ammunition and methamphetamine.

The warrant was served Wednesday in the 12100 block of 162nd Street, according to the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

During the search, deputies found "four rifles, eight semi-automatic pistols, one revolver, one shotgun, a large cache of live ammunition, multiple prohibited high-capacity magazines and a quantity of methamphetamine and narcotic paraphernalia consistent with a sales operation," according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Norwalk resident Mario Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of possession of:

-- a controlled substance with a loaded firearm;

-- a controlled substance for sales;

-- a short-barrel rifle;

-- an assault rifle;

-- a silencer; and

-- an undetectable firearm.

Hernandez was being held without bail, according to the sheriff's department.

"I'm incredibly proud of the outstanding work our deputies continue to do to protect our communities," said Pico Rivera Sheriff's Station Captain Joe Hernandez. "By removing illegal guns from our streets and out of the hands of alleged gang members, we are reducing violence, safeguarding families and sending a clear message that this kind of criminal activity has no place in our neighborhoods."

Anyone with information about the suspect or activity at 162nd Street in Norwalk was urged to call the Pico Rivera Station at 562-949-2421.