A routine traffic stop in Fernley turned into a major drug investigation when deputies discovered pounds of drugs and concealed weapons. 

According to the Lyon County Sheriff's Office, the stop happened on January 21 at about 2:22 p.m. on Mountain Rose Drive in Fernley.

Deputies said they observed a silver Chevrolet sedan without a front license plate and with a rear plate covered by tinted plastic. The car was stopped at the Out of Town Park.

As the car came to a stop, a man later identified as 32-year-old Pablo Castro-Zambrano of Sun Valley exited and began walking away from the car.

After verbal commands were given, he returned to the car.

Deputies then contacted the driver, 32-year-old Gabriel Vasquez of Reno. Deputies said Vasquez had a suspended Nevada driver’s license, the car was uninsured, and the rear license plate was fictitious and returned to another similar car.

A Lyon County K9 unit on scene alerted deputies to the odor of drugs coming from the car, prompting a search. Deputies said they found about 1/2 pound of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia, including baggies and scales.

In the trunk of the car, deputies reported discovering 26.3 grams of trazodone hydrochloride and more than 15 pounds of marijuana.

Deputies also said Vasquez had brass knuckles concealed on his person at the time of contact.

Both men were taken into custody and booked into the Lyon County Jail.

Vasquez faces charges including trafficking and possession of a schedule one controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a dangerous drug without a prescription, conspiracy, displaying a bogus vehicle registration, driving on a suspended license, and possession of marijuana more than one ounce. His bail was set at $99,395.

Castro-Zambrano faces charges including trafficking and possession of a schedule one controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy, and possession of marijuana more than one ounce. His bail was set at $93,640.