California Man Charged After Gary Marijuana Stop
Authorities found 124 pounds of marijuana in a trailer during a commercial motor vehicle stop in Gary.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Drug Crime
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An Indiana State Police trooper arrested 44-year-old Aleksan Ter-Avetisyan after discovering 124 pounds of marijuana in a trailer. The arrest occurred following a traffic stop on a red Volvo tractor with California license plates.
Why it matters
The arrest highlights ongoing efforts by state authorities to monitor commercial vehicle safety and interstate drug trafficking. Law enforcement officials utilized a motor vehicle inquiry to flag the tractor due to a lack of recent federal safety inspections.
Aleksan Ter-Avetisyan faces a felony charge of dealing in marijuana and was released on a $2,000 cash bond. The Indiana State Police identified the suspect after noting the vehicle had only two documented inspections over the past seven years.
The players
Aleksan Ter-Avetisyan
He is a 44-year-old California man currently facing a felony charge of dealing in marijuana.
Indiana State Police
This law enforcement agency is responsible for statewide highway patrol and traffic enforcement operations.
The details
The trooper initiated the search of the vehicle after receiving consent from Ter-Avetisyan during the stop. The tractor had reported no mileage to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration since 2024, prompting further investigation by the responding officer.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: The trooper investigated the incident on Tuesday.
October 28, 2026: Ter-Avetisyan was taken into custody on Wednesday.
October 29, 2026: Ter-Avetisyan was released on bond Thursday afternoon.
Legal Context
This arrest follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny on commercial transit passing through Indiana, which serves as a major logistics hub. The case aligns with broader efforts to enforce federal motor carrier safety standards that mandate regular vehicle documentation and inspections.
Local residents in Gary may see increased state police presence during commercial traffic enforcement operations on area highways. The investigation serves as a reminder of the security protocols applied to long-haul trucks passing through the region.
The takeaway
Commercial vehicle operators are subject to regular inspections to ensure compliance with federal safety and reporting standards. Failure to maintain these records can trigger closer law enforcement scrutiny during routine traffic stops.
Further reading
Learn more about local enforcement trends in the Drug Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nwitimes.
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