Police arrested two men who were allegedly driving on the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee NJ while illegally carrying a handgun.

Port Authority cops pulled over the suspects’ vehicle, a 2016 Dodge Charger, as it passed through an EZ-Pass only lane at the GW Bridge toll plaza around 6:00 a.m. According to law enforcement, the suspects failed to pay the required toll before driving through the lane. Additionally, the vehicle reportedly did not have valid license plates.

When Port Authority police officers approached the car and spoke with the driver, they observed that he appeared to be highly intoxicated or high on drugs.

A search of the motor vehicle allegedly turned up a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun.

The suspects, a 36-year-old South Carolina man driving the car and a 23-year-old Maine man who was a passenger in the car, were placed under arrest and taken to police headquarters.

The South Carolina suspect has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and theft of services. He has also been cited for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), driving with false plates, and other traffic violations.

Meanwhile, the Maine suspect has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, a very serious criminal offense that could result in mandatory prison time if he is convicted.

For more information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Pair Arrested on Gun Charges After GWB Toll Plaza Traffic Stop.”