Nearly 5,000 suspected fentanyl pills seized during traffic stop in Washington County
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A man was arrested after an officer found thousands of suspected fentanyl pills during a traffic stop near the Utah-Arizona border on Feb. 10, according to the Washington County Sherrif’s Office.
The nearly 5,000 suspected fentanyl pills were reportedly hidden in a bag of candy. When an officer with the Utah Highway Patrol K-9 unit arrived on the scene, the officers also reportedly found a “white powdery substance” they said to be consistent with methamphetamine in the sunglass holder and pipes typically used for meth inside a purse and sun visor.
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A probable cause statement identified the driver as Marcus Hanson, who was arrested for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a controlled schedule 1 drug, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
The officer who arrested Hanson was parked in the median at the Utah-Arizona state line in a marked patrol vehicle with his headlights on, according to the affidavit. When Hanson drove by, everyone inside the car reportedly leaned back, which the officer said was an attempt to avoid being seen by him.
According to the affidavit, Hanson reportedly told the officer his wallet was lost or stolen when asked to show his driver’s license, and the officer called for backup while Hanson was gathering insurance documents.
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While the officer was conducting a check on warrants for Hanson, the UHP K-9 officer and his dog began examining the vehicle and received “a positive indication” for narcotics inside the vehicle, according to the probable cause statement.
While searching the passenger side of the vehicle, the officer reportedly found a rubber package that he said is commonly used to hold THC, an ingredient in marijuana. However, according to the affidavit, that package was holding several blue pills with an “M” on one side, which the officer said were the “suspected synthetic fentanyl pills.”
According to the affidavit, officers and agents with the Washington County Drug Task Force and the Department of Homeland Security were also at the scene.
More suspected fentanyl pills were found in a half-gallon bag found hidden in a bag of candy while the officers were searching the vehicle, according to the probable cause statement, and they also reportedly found several grams of powdered fentanyl.
WCSO posted a photo of the seized pills on social media the next morning, saying, “Our deputies are working tirelessly to fight this epidemic flooding the nation.”
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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