Traffic stop leads to $2 million drug bust in southern Utah
Oct 7, 2022, 9:18 PM | Updated: Oct 9, 2022, 12:40 pm
(Washington County)
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah — A traffic stop in southern Utah led to a drug bust with a street value of over $2 million, according to law enforcement officials.
Washington County SHeriff’s Office said late Wednesday night a deputy stopped a while Chevy Impala for undisclosed traffic violations. The stop was near mile-marker 11 on Interstate 15, in the vicinity of Washington City, at approximately 11:40 p.m.
The sheriff’s office said a Washington City police K-9 dog was deployed on the vehicle and it gave positive indications of drugs, giving human officers probable cause to search the vehicle.
Law enforcement officers said more than 60,000 suspected fentanyl pills were discovered with a street value over $2 million.
The passenger, Karen Alverez, 39, from Colorado and driver Rigoberto Garibay, 19, from Mexico were arrested. The pair were taken to the Purgatory Correctional Facility and booked on suspicion of drug distribution.