![An assortment of suspected narcotics, marijuana and drag trafficking paraphernalia were seized during what began as a Friday evening traffic stop on Aplin Road in Crestview. [CRESTVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-6f79229d-6706-1b96-e053-0100007f6a02-a055ae32.jpeg)
CRESTVIEW — Two written warnings for running stop signs were the least of a DeFuniak Springs resident’s problems following a traffic stop on Aplin Road.
Christopher Michael Driver, 30, was pulled over by a Crestview Police investigator Friday evening for failing to stop at two stop signs, but when K9 Officer Nate Marlar smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, the traffic stop became a narcotics stop.
“As soon as I got up to the car I smelled it,” Marlar said.
Because the smell was so strong, it was not necessary for Marlar to deploy his K9 partner, Kody.
“Kody did his share on other stops, though,” he said.
In addition to $862 in cash, a search of Driver and the vehicle, including a backpack located in the back seat area, yielded 7 grams of cocaine, 162.3 grams of marijuana, 10.8 grams of suspected MDMA (“ecstasy”), 1.2 grams of diazepam pills (marketed as Valium), several containers of suspected THC oil, and narcotic paraphernalia including digital scales and plastic baggies.
The suspected cocaine and marijuana yielded positive results when tested.
Driver was taken to Okaloosa County Jail where he was being held on $14,000 bond.
Driver was charged with unlawful possession or selling of a controlled substance, unlawful possession without a prescription of a controlled substance, and possession or use of drug paraphernalia.
“We are putting big dents in this drug trade stuff,” Marlar said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DeFuniak man arrested for drugs after traffic stop