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The men, Hector G. Martinez, 24, and Robert L. Ruiz, 37, both of Springfield, Mass., were passengers in a Ford Explorer that was stopped around 12:07 p.m. on I-84 in Danbury after a trooper clocked them going 81 miles per hour in a 55 zone, said Trooper First Class Kelly Grant.
While speaking with the operator, the trooper detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A passenger stated that he had smoked marijuana and that he had "blunts in the car,” Grant said.
Through the course of the investigation troopers, Danbury police officers and state police K9 Favor searched the vehicle. They seized blunts, a small bag of marijuana and three firearms from inside the vehicle. One of the firearms was found to have had the serial number scratched off, Grant added.
Martinez and Ruiz were taken into custody and transported to Troop A. The vehicle operator was issued an infraction for the speeding violation and released.
Ruiz was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, illegal possession of weapons in a motor vehicle and alteration of firearm identification. Ruiz was released after posting $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Danbury Superior Court on April 3.
Martinez was charged with illegal possession of weapons in a motor vehicle and carrying a dangerous weapon. Martinez was released after posting $2,500 bond and scheduled to appear at Danbury Superior Court on April 3.
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