LEWISTON, Maine — Two Lewiston men were arrested early Sunday after police recovered three loaded 9mm handguns during a traffic stop on Sabattus Street, including one from a passenger who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to probation conditions stemming from a previous shooting conviction.

According to the Lewiston Police Department, officers conducted the traffic stop at approximately 1:52 a.m. on July 26.

Police identified the driver as Mohamed Abdi, 20, of Lewiston, and the passenger as Zakaria Aden, 20, of Lewiston.

During the investigation, officers determined that Aden was on probation for a reckless conduct conviction related to a previous shooting. As part of his probation, he was prohibited from possessing firearms and was subject to searches for weapons.

A search of Aden allegedly led officers to discover a loaded 9mm handgun concealed in his waistband.

Police then searched the vehicle and located two additional loaded 9mm handguns—one beneath the driver’s seat and another beneath the front passenger seat.

Abdi was arrested and charged with Having a Loaded Firearm (Handgun) in a Motor Vehicle, a Class E offense under Maine law.

Aden was taken into custody on a probation hold and charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, a Class C felony, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon, a Class D offense.

The arrests come as Lewiston continues to grapple with persistent gun violence. Police have made firearm enforcement a priority this year, with targeted patrols and traffic enforcement resulting in dozens of illegal firearms being seized. Department officials have repeatedly said many of the shootings investigated in the city involve individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms.

The investigation into the traffic stop remains ongoing.