During a routine traffic stop in the Downtown Eastside last night, Vancouver police found teenagers in possession of a loaded handgun.

Around 8 p.m. on August 22, patrol officers noticed a black Ford Escape that was driving along side streets of Strathcona, south of East Hastings Street, according to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).

When officers stopped the vehicle because it had no insurance, they found three teenagers and one adult inside with a loaded Glock 22 firearm.

Police arrested the four occupants for the firearms offence and also found them in possession of a “significant amount” of drugs during a search after their arrest. VPD spokesperson Const. Steve Addison told the Georgia Straight that specific amounts and the types of drugs are not available yet as the substances need to undergo analysis.

All four were taken into custody.

A 17-year-old and 18-year-old both from Vancouver and a 46-year-old from North Vancouver are facing several drug and weapons charges. Const. Addison said that the specific charges will be determined by the Crown after all evidence is reviewed.

Meanwhile, the fourth occupant, a 16-year-old girl from Vancouver, was released without charges.

Thus far, Vancouver police have seized over 150 firearms in 2019.