BETHESDA, Md. (Jan. 30, 2009) – Members of the Prince Georges County Firearms Interdiction Task Force arrested a Montgomery County man on a warrant at his home this morning where a large quantity of marijuana and numerous firearms were recovered.
Francisco Mario Jimenez, 40, of the 5600 block of Johnson Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland, is being charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, firearms possession during a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of firearms, and firearms possession by a prohibited person. In addition, Jimenez faces numerous federal charges related to this crime. He was arrested at his home without incident and taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. He will be taken before a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing.
As a result of several weeks of investigation by the Firearms Task Force, a search and seizure warrant was obtained for the home of Francisco Jimenez. At about 5:00 a.m. this morning the warrant was served at his residence. After the arrest of Jimenez, a search was conducted of the home, where investigators discovered a large amount of marijuana and several illegal weapons.
Recovered inside the home was 24,888 grams of marijuana. The street value of the marijuana is over $497,000. In addition to the marijuana, 12 illegally obtained firearms were discovered in the residence. The guns seized included several handguns and assault rifles, as well as an assault pistol and other automatic weapons. A homemade silencer used to suppress the sound of gunfire was also recovered.
The Prince Georges County Firearms Interdiction Task Force consists of troopers from the Maryland State Police and officers from the Prince Georges County Police and Sheriff’s Departments. The Task Force was assisted by the Montgomery County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Source: MSP HQ, Pikesville