(WWJ) Michigan State Police say they have seized 20 "illegal firearms" from drivers during patrols in metro Detroit over the past week.
In one case, MSP says troopers conducted a traffic stop on I-96 for a temporary plate violation. The driver had a pistol in a backpack, no CPL and told troopers he believed he could "open carry" for personal protection in his vehicle.
Separately, troopers arrested a felon who had a 9MM pistol and cocaine in his vehicle, along with a gun he wasn't supposed to have, police said, and the driver of a Harley motorcycle driver stopped for excessive speed on I-94 in Dearborn was found to have a stolen weapon on him.
In another cited case, the MSP Metro South Post said a trooper working the impaired driving detail stopped a driver for speeding. That driver did not have a CPL, police said, and was found to be in possession of a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun.
When the Inkster Secure Cities Detail made a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Henry Ruff near Avondale St. for a traffic violation, troopers were informed by the driver that he he didn't have a driver's license. During a search of the driver, troopers noticed a clear plastic baggie sticking out from the driver's waistband, which turned out to contain suspected cocaine.
In yet another case, MSP said troopers made a traffic stop on a Toyota for running a stop sign. When troops activated their emergency lights, the driver was seen "making erratic movements" in the vehicle towards the passenger side of the car. When troopers approached, the saw the driver attempting to place a loaded 9mm pistol into a hidden compartment behind the glove box.
In another stop, troopers seized a semi- auto pistol from a non-CPL holding driver after they spotted it between the driver's feet on the floorboard, police said.
"These are examples of the work troopers do everyday to keep Wayne County safe. Keep it up troops," MSP said.
The names of the drivers detained in these incidents and details of the charges against them were not immediately released.
