RENSSELAER FALLS — Seven people face drug charges after a Rensselaer Falls home and Heuvelton apartment were raided Monday, with more than 70 assorted firearms and sizable amounts of cocaine, marijuana and cash found, authorities said.

Prosecutors and law enforcement officials declined to reveal whether the two raids were connected.

The cache of weapons, considered one of the larger seizures in recent St. Lawrence County history, found in the Rensselaer Falls home included nine handguns, a .50-caliber sniper rifle and various assault rifles and shotguns, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. The seizure at 52 County Route 16 also included nearly eight ounces of cocaine, numerous pot plants and about $10,000 cash.

The investigation, which began a few days ago when an off-duty state police officer noticed an apparent drug deal occurring in the village of Canton, led to the raids and arrests of three men and two women.

"It's extremely troubling," assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Katko said. "When you have drugs and guns mixed, it's a dangerous situation."

The Rensselaer Falls raid was conducted by members of the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force, state police narcotics unit and federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine were Louis Tomassini Jr., 42, Rensselaer Falls, Anthony Bogart, 26, Lisbon, and Naomi Walters, 41, New York City.

Charged with conspiracy to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute marijuana were Mr. Tomassini, Nicole Tomassini, 36, of Rensselaer Falls, and Bradley Howe, 35, of Rensselaer Falls.

Mr. Tomassini also was charged with carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, all of them could face significant prison time and large fines.

U.S. Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles ruled Monday in Syracuse that Mr. Tomassini, Mr. Bogart and Ms. Walters be jailed without bail, while Ms. Tomassini and Mr. Howe were released with specific conditions, prosecutors said.

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Nicole M. Duve said the large seizure of weapons and drugs shows an increasing danger to drug enforcement efforts in the north country.

As part of the ongoing war on drugs in the north country, Ms. Duve was appointed special U.S. attorney last October. She has used those powers occasionally.

Mr. Katko said his office became involved when requested by Ms. Duve and will assist her with the case. Both said they believed federal charges were the most appropriate course.

Authorities said they didn't know where the cocaine originated from or whether the weapons were registered. The investigation is ongoing.

In the Heuvelton raid, Brandon M. Kinch, 23, and Megan N. Ferguson, 18, both of 100B State St., were each charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, the St. Lawrence County sheriff's department said.

County task force members and state police mobile response team executed a search warrant and turned up more than three ounces of cocaine, 36 packets of heroin and 72 tablets of 80 milligram Oxycodone. The search also found two guns and more than $20,000 in cash.

Both were arraigned in Oswegatchie Town Court, with Mr. Kinch sent to St. Lawrence County jail, Canton, on $10,000 cash or $20,000 bail bond. Ms. Ferguson was jailed on $5,000 cash or $10,000 bail bond.

Two U.S. Border Patrol K-9 units assisted in the search.