By Lookout Staff

April 14, 2021 -- An armed convicted felon and his accomplice, both from New York, were arrested for dealing drugs near the Pier last week, Santa Monica police said Wednesday.

Officers on patrol arrested the two suspects after they observed "what appeared to be a hand-to-hand purchase of marijuana" near Ocean Avenue and Colorado Boulevard at around 7 p.m. Thursday.

"During a traffic stop related to this narcotics violation, officers discovered a large quantity of marijuana, an unregistered firearm, and a loaded magazine in the rear of the vehicle," said SMPD spokesman Lt. Rudy Flores.

Evidence seized by police (Courtesy SMPD)

The officers seized more than 2 pounds of marijuana, a 9mm handgun and a high-capacity 9mm magazine loaded with 16 rounds, Flores said. The armed suspect, Randy Francis Ramirez-Sanchez, a 32-year-old Black male from New York, has a prior conviction for 1st degree manslaughter. The second suspect is identified as Steven Pujols, a 36-year-old Hispanic male also from New York. Ramirez-Sanchez, 32, was charged for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possessing a high capacity magazine and driving without a license.

Both men were charged with selling/transporting marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.

Anyone with additional information should call the Criminal Investigations Division at 310-458-8451 or the Santa Monica Department’s Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.