Desoto County News

Traffic stop leads to drug arrest

Over the weekend, Olive Branch police recovered 376 pounds of marijuana valued at nearly $1 million in a traffic stop.  

According to a news release from the city, an Olive Branch police officer early Sunday morning conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle with California license plates. The traffic stop was done on Hacks Cross near U.S. Highway 78. 

During the traffic stop, the officer conducted a search of the vehicle, discovered and seized the marijuana that has an estimated street value of $975,000.  

Police Chief Bill Cox Monday afternoon informed DeSoto County News that Varuzhan Arabadjian, age 35, of Van Nuys, California,  was arrested and charged with trafficking in controlled substances for the 376 pounds of marijuana discovered in his vehicle during a traffic stop for careless driving. He was booked into the DeSoto County Adult Detention Center on Sunday afternoon and remains held there on $1 million bond.

A Nov. 16 court date has been set for Arabadjian in the case.

Bob Bakken

Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.

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