April 19, 2023 |
Photo – Wyoming Highway Patrol Patch – Bigfoot99 file photo
A vehicle that ran out of fuel on Interstate 80 near Rock Springs earlier this month resulted in a major drug bust.
The incident occurred Saturday evening, April 8, 2023. A Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper stopped to assist a stranded vehicle near milepost 133 between Wamsutter Rock Springs.
The trooper later reported smelling raw marijuana during the stop. The trooper became more suspicious during a conversation with the occupant of the vehicle about their travel plans.
A short time later, a second individual emerged from a nearby ditch and approached the vehicle and trooper. The second individual claimed he was not associated with the car but could provide a reasonable explanation about why it was out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
The trooper detained both parties, and a drug detection WHP K-9 (Becky) was deployed around the vehicle.
The resulting search produced thirteen Ziplock baggies of suspected methamphetamine, weighing approximately 11.5 pounds. Also found was 3.7 pounds of suspected marijuana, two THC vape cartridges, one pack of edibles, thirty-seven Adderall pills, and two thousand 2,186 Fentanyl M30 pills weighing approximately 185.3 grams. In addition to the street drugs, two stolen pistols were also found in the vehicle.
The names of the two suspects were not released. The investigation did produce information that they were traveling together. They were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance plant form, controlled substance crystal form, controlled substance fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and possession of the stolen property.
