Visalia K9 Maui Sniffs Out Drugs, Gun, Leading to Two Arrests

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 6 months ago on

October 21, 2024

K9 Maui's alert during a Saturday night traffic stop led Visalia officers to seize drugs and a loaded ghost gun, resulting in two arrests. (Visalia PD)

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A Saturday night traffic stop turned into a significant bust for the Visalia Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit, thanks to the keen nose of K9 Maui, the department reported on Sunday.

Around 11 p.m., officers pulled over a vehicle near Ben Maddox Way and St. Johns Parkway.

An officer, along with his K9 partner Maui, searched the vehicle after Maui signaled the presence of drugs inside.

The search revealed a stash of narcotics and a loaded P80 ghost gun with an automatic switch, according to authorities.

Two men, Eduardo Flores, 48, and Christopher Barajas, 32, were arrested on drug and firearm-related charges.

Both are now at the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility.

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Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and has an MBA at Fresno State, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.