YAVAPAI COUNTY, AZ — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a weekend arrest.

Just after 6:30p.m. June 29, a Yavapai County Deputy stopped a Ford F150 for a moving violation on east 140 near Ash Fork, Arizona, according to a media release.

The driver identified as 27-year-old Richard Arrington of Missouri was traveling with his 5-year-old son.  During a conversation with Arrington, the deputy noticed a strong smell of marijuana in the vehicle, according to the release.

Arrington started to panic, expressed concern for his son and asked about the deputy’s K9 partner waiting in the patrol vehicle.  He also denied transporting any drugs and said the smell was from a marijuana cigarette he had smoked the night before.

When Arrington realized his vehicle would be searched, he admitted about 120 pounds of marijuana, according to the release. Deputies found much more.  The bags of marijuana weighed 178 pounds. Some of the marijuana was stored next to the 5-year-old. Deputies also found almost $2,000 in cash

Deputies arrested Arrington and booked him into the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges of transportation of marijuana for sale and child abuse. He is being held on a $100,000 Bond. The boy was released to the Arizona Department of Child safety pending contract with his mother.