$60K in pot, $20K in cocaine seized in Holyoke drug bust

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - An estimated $80,000 worth of drugs was seized during a routine traffic stop in Holyoke early Wednesday morning, state police say.

According to a state police news release sent to 22News, Charles Berard, 27, and Kelly Arzate, 29, of Holyoke were arrested following the stop on Lyman Street.

State police say that just before 1:00 A.M., a trooper patrolling High Street noticed an Acura sedan with its license plate light out. He stopped the vehicle on nearby Lyman Street, and smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the car.

The two were asked to step outside as additional troopers came to search the Acura. Inside the center console, state police say they found a plastic bag containing what is believed to be cocaine, while inside the trunk, they found 15 pounds of what they believe to be marijuana. Additionally, $13,000 cash and eight cell phones were recovered from the car.

Arzate allegedly tried to run while the discovery was being made, but police caught up with him and put him under arrest.

Both men will be arraigned in Holyoke District Court.

According to state police, the marijuana sells for $4,000 per pound, while the cocaine seized has a street value of $20,000.