Two people were arrested late Sunday after officers investigating a suspicious vehicle found methamphetamine and a loaded handgun inside, according to the Chowchilla Police Department.

Officers were dispatched at about 11:49 p.m. to the area of 255 Washington Road after reports of a suspicious vehicle with people entering and exiting it, police said.

When officers checked the vehicle, they contacted Jose Venegas, of Merced, and Nicolle Head, of Chowchilla, who were seated in the back seats.

During the investigation, officers observed illegal narcotics in plain view. Both occupants were removed from the vehicle and placed in handcuffs, police said.

Venegas and Head told officers they had been taking methamphetamine, and officers searched the vehicle.

Police said the search uncovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded 9mm semiautomatic pistol under the back seat where Venegas had been sitting.

Venegas was arrested on multiple drug- and firearm-related charges, and Head was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Both were booked into the Madera County Jail.

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