HAMMOND — Two men were arrested after narcotics detectives found suspected illegal drugs and a stolen firearm inside a storage unit, the Hammond Police Department said Thursday.

Devonte West, 30, of Independence, and Armada Tate, 36, of Hammond, were arrested Tuesday following a tip that the two were involved in narcotics activities.

HPD said detectives learned that West was renting a storage unit in Hammond. A search warrant was obtained and executed for the unit, where police say they recovered suspected illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia and a stolen firearm.

An arrest warrant was then issued for West, and a case was opened with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Police also learned that West frequently traveled to Texas, and detectives coordinated with ATF personnel in Houston to assist with the investigation.

Detectives found West as he was returning from a trip to Texas, police said. He arrived at a gas station in Hammond, where police say he was seen meeting with Tate.

Police later stopped and arrested Tate on an outstanding warrant and for attempting to discard methamphetamine. He was on probation through the 21st Judicial District Court, according to Hammond Police.

Hammond Police arrested West at the storage facility and say they found about 11 pounds of suspected meth and some pills in his car.

Police said West was on parole for several illegal narcotics convictions and also had a previous federal conviction for illegal narcotics.

In total, police said the investigation produced 13.2 lbs of suspected meth, 2.2 lbs of suspected synthetic marijuana, 2,200 suspected counterfeit Adderall pills, 1,200 suspected counterfeit opioid pills and six grams of a suspected heroin-fentanyl mixture.

Because of West's previous convictions, the amount of narcotics recovered and the firearm, the case was forwarded to the United States Attorney's Office for potential federal prosecution.

"We will continue to hunt down these criminals and hold them accountable," Hammond Chief of Police Edwin Bergeron Jr. said.