VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Two people were arrested recently in connection with the illegal purchase of a firearm.

According to police, 26-year-old Darien Smith, who is a convicted felon, solicited 27-year-old Raeqwon Williams to purchase a firearm for Smith.

Police said that Smith was taken into custody on Feb. 17, where he was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, solicitation of a straw purchase of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute schedule I or II narcotics, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, simultaneous possession of a firearm and narcotics and unlawful concealment of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Williams was taken into custody on April 28, where he was charged with straw purchase of a firearm, lying on a firearms form and failure to obtain a background check. Police said they are investigating additional straw purchases from Williams.

“Keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are not legally allowed to possess them is one of the biggest factors in continuing to reduce violence in our community,” VBPD Chief Paul Neudigate said. “VBPD will continue to aggressively investigate straw purchases of firearms. I’d like to thank our detectives for their hard work, as well as the Chesapeake Police Department for their assistance.”