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WILKES-BARRE — A traffic stop of two Luzerne County residents led to the discovery of a stolen firearm and marijuana, according to Wilkes-Barre police.
Christopher Paneto, 18, of Wilkes-Barre, and Edgardo Espaillat, 26, of Hanover Township, were arrested after police say they found the firearm and marijuana in Paneto’s possession after a traffic stop at 3:49 p.m. Saturday on South Main Street.
Police say that, upon their approach of the vehicle, a strong smell of marijuana was coming from inside.
An officer conducted a search and said Paneto had a pistol on him, and that the firearm later was determined to be stolen. The weapon was loaded at the time of the traffic stop, authorities said.
Espaillat and Paneto were arrested and taken to police headquarters to be processed.
NOTE: This story has been corrected to show that Paneto not Espaillat was in possession of the firearm, according to an updated police report.