The Region - News from Sept. 16, 1986

An FBI probe of cocaine sales at a Kansas City mall led agents to Los Angeles, where they seized 99 pounds of the drug valued at $36 million and made two arrests. The FBI said Stephen Desbien, 28, and Jeffrey Combs, 29, both of Kansas City, were arrested during an undercover narcotics buy in the parking lot of a West Los Angeles supermarket. One agent fired a shot during the arrest when Desbien allegedly tried to run him down with a car, but neither the agent nor Desbien was injured, agents said. The investigation began 10 months ago after citizens complained about open cocaine dealing in the Plaza, a Kansas City mall. Agents followed the drug chain to distributors, and additional arrests are expected in Los Angeles and Kansas City. Agents said 6.6 pounds of cocaine was seized during the arrest, and another 92.4 pounds of the drug was found in a Hollywood warehouse.