Golden State Today

California Attorney General Bonta, along with law enforcement partners, announced the arrests of four suspects in Tulare County and the seizure of a significant cache of illegal firearms, magazines, drugs, ammunition, and cash. The investigation began with a subject identified as prohibited through the Armed and Prohibited Persons database. Further inquiry revealed additional illegal activities leading to the arrest of suspects involved in substantial illicit drug trafficking and manufacturing.

“These arrests demonstrate exactly why the Armed and Prohibited Persons System is vital for the safety of our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. “In our efforts to retrieve guns from one prohibited individual, we uncovered an entire network of illegal activity. I am grateful for the work of our Bureau of Firearms agents and local law enforcement partners in getting these illegal weapons out of the hands of this prohibited individual and taking down this criminal operation.”

The TARGET Task Force and Tulare County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force coordinated with several agencies including the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Firearms Fresno Regional Office; Tulare County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; United States Drug Enforcement Administration; Visalia Police Department; Porterville Police Department; Tulare Police Department; and Kings County Sheriff’s Office. They served multiple search warrants in Tulare City and Goshen. As a result, agents seized two shotguns, four rifles, six handguns, approximately 20 large-capacity magazines and 14 standard capacity magazines, over 2,200 rounds of live ammunition, 150 pounds of liquid codeine, approximately 200 pounds of marijuana and concentrated cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, ecstasy, a hash oil lab, and a large amount of U.S. currency.

The four suspects were booked at the Tulare County Detention facility facing charges including possession of an assault weapon, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and child abuse. This case is being referred to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

In 2006 California became the first state to establish a system for tracking firearm owners who fall into prohibited status. The APPS database identifies individuals who lawfully procured firearms but later became prohibited from owning or possessing them due to convictions or other legal restrictions. The 2023 APPS Report was released in March 2024.

The DOJ's Bureau of Firearms serves Californians through education, regulation regarding firearms manufacture/sale/ownership/safety training/transfer/ammunition control measures. BOF staff provide expertise to law enforcement officials/legislators/general public ensuring responsible firearm possession/use by residents. BOF seeks additional special agents with more information on job openings available at oag.ca.gov/careers/exams.