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SALINA — Two men were arrested Monday by the Utah Highway Patrol after troopers say they found 235 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle.
One of the men arrested claims he was also arrested just a few days ago in Oregon, where law enforcers seized approximately 10,000 pounds of marijuana; and a week ago in Texas, where 700 pounds of marijuana was seized, according to a police booking affidavit.
Troopers spotted a truck with a Texas license plate on Interstate 70 near Salina about 8 p.m. Monday that was suspected in being involved in drug trafficking, the affidavit states. After following the vehicle, troopers pulled it over for changing lanes improperly, according to the affidavit.
The driver claimed he and his partner had been in Las Vegas and were driving to Texas but staying the night in Grand Junction, Colorado, the affidavit states.
"I asked if he was going to Texas from Vegas why he was up on I-70 and not down on I-40? He stated he wanted to try out 70 to see Colorado," the arresting trooper wrote in his affidavit.
When the trooper asked the driver who his passenger was, the driver could only give a first name.
"I asked what his last name was and he advised he didn't know. I asked how long he had known him for and he told me he had known him for a minute. He stated he was taking him down to Texas to see if he liked it. I asked if he did not go out to Vegas with him, and he told me, 'They brought him.' I asked who brought him and he said he didn't know," according to the affidavit.
After a police K-9 was used to sniff the vehicle and indicated the possible presence of drugs, troopers searched the pickup.
"In the bed of the truck under the bed cover were seven large packages that were taped up in black garbage bags. Each large package contained several smaller vacuum sealed packages of a green leafy substance consistent with that of marijuana," the affidavit states. "The packages were also weighed and six of the packages weighed approximately 35 pounds and one package weighed approximately 27 pounds, with a total weight around 235 pounds."
After taking the driver into custody, troopers questioned him and "he admitted to being caught with approximately 700 pounds of marijuana last week in Texas, and approximately 10,000 pounds of marijuana three to four days ago in Oregon. His criminal history also showed that he had felony convictions for charges related to marijuana distribution," according to the affidavit.
Jose Alberto Castillo-Soto, 52, and Manuel Rodriguez Plascencia, 30, were each arrested for investigation of possessing more than 100 pounds of marijuana. Plascencia was also cited for failing to stay in one lane.
