Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sarah Dallof reportingAn intensive drug sting through Summit County uncovered millions of dollars worth of marijuana and cocaine, hidden in cars. Investigators teamed up to patrol the heavily traveled portion of I-80 in Summit County to look for drug traffickers.
Capt. Mike Rapich, with the Utah Highway Patrol, said, "As of 4:00 this afternoon, we had made 16 significant drug seizures."
The drugs were found hidden in secret compartments in cars, everything from inside the tires to hidden trunks and fake soda cans. It took a team of experts from around the state to figure it out, with the help of their canine counterparts.
The total street value of the marijuana they found is more than $2 million. A two-pound bag alone is worth about $20,000.
UHP trooper Robert Nixon said, "We're extremely excited about everything we've done here to get it off the roads."
Deputies also seized 55 pounds of cocaine, street value of more than $1 million.
The drugs are believed to have come from a recent marijuana harvest in California. That's information the UHP is sharing with other law enforcement agencies.
Capt. Rapich said, "In addition, we'll ramp up across the country. And hopefully we can get as much of this off the street as possible."
In total, 16 people were arrested.
