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Arsenal Of Suspected Black Market Rifles Seized In Santa Clara

SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) -- Santa Clara police have seized an arsenal of weapons that investigators suspect were being sold on the black market.

On Wednesday, police found several assault rifles, a sniper rifle, a suppressor, thousands of rounds of ammunition, drug paraphernalia and other weapons at a commercial building on Grant Street.

The building is located about a block from Mineta San Jose International Airport.

Officers arrested two suspects: Jonathan Gillean and Patricia Digrandi.

Police say they got a search warrant after receiving word that Gillean was selling weapons illegally.

"Quite an arsenal of weapons, pretty scary in this day and age," said Santa Clara police Capt. Wahid Kazem. "Specifically, the three assault rifles that were in his possession and the suppressor which, as most people know, muzzles the sound of the actual firearm, really makes it a scary item to be out there."

Officers detained Gillean at his place of employment and learned that he was living at the commercial building on Grant Street.

During a sweep of the space on Grant Street, police located Digrandi, along with the cache of rifles, some of which were loaded.

Police also said they located an imitation explosive device, brass knuckles and indicia.

Police say that at the time of the arrest both suspects appeared to be under the influence of drugs and had loaded guns nearby.

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