1,000 Guns Found In Bel-Air Raid On Suspected Arms Dealer

LOS ANGELES, CA — An early morning police raid in a Bel-Air neighborhood yielded a trove of more than 1,000 firearms believed to be part of an illegal arms dealing operation Wednesday.

"It's just beyond comprehension that somebody can have so many weapons in a residence like this in a neighborhood such like this," LAPD Lt. Chris Ramirez told reporters at the scene.

Acting on a tip about the illegal selling and manufacturing of firearms, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives raided an upscale home in the 100 block of North Beverly Glen Boulevard, said LAPD Officer Lizeth Lomeli. The raid began shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday, and by 3 p.m., authorities were still rounding up weapons.

"So far over a 1,000 firearms have been recovered," Lomeli said.

A man, identified as Girard Damien Saenz of Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of possessing, selling and manufacturing assault weapons, according to the LAPD.

The neighborhood is dotted with mansions, and the massive police presence is an unusual sight in the community.

KTLA footage from hovering helicopters showed a driveway lined with handguns and high-powered rifles.

Investigators also recovered gun manufacturing equipment and tools, said ATF spokeswoman Ginger Colbrun, adding that the authorities "have no reason to believe the public is in any danger."