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GREEN RIVER, Emery County — Two people were arrested in Emery County after Utah Highway Patrol troopers reported finding approximately 40 pounds of methamphetamine and two kilos of cocaine in their vehicle.
About 9:40 a.m. Friday, a UHP trooper pulled over a vehicle on Interstate 70 near Green River for speeding. While speaking with the driver and her passenger, the trooper could smell marijuana from inside the vehicle, according to a police booking affidavit.
The driver had a Virginia driver's license, the passenger claimed he had been in California for a week or two and the passenger claimed they were in a rental vehicle, but he did not have the rental contract with him, the affidavit states.
"He provided an oil change receipt for the rental vehicle dated Sept. 15 in Virginia. With today being the 22nd, I became suspicious of criminal activity. I clarified details about the trip with both Ms. Banks and Mr. Garcia and became even more suspicious that they were involved in criminal activity," the trooper wrote in the affidavit.
The trooper then conducted a search of the vehicle and reported finding a suitcase with a black trash bag inside.
"Inside the trash bag was 40 ziplock bags containing approximately 1 pound each of methamphetamine," the affidavit states, "There was also a backpack containing approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine."
Agents from the State Bureau of Investigation also responded to the scene.
Cruz Javier García, 37, and Shilah Renee Banks, 29, were each arrested for investigation of two counts of drug possession with intent to distribute, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Garcia was also arrested for investigation of giving the trooper false information for allegedly claiming he was someone else. Banks was also cited for speeding.
Garcia has previously served prison time for drug distribution, according to troopers. Agents say they will seek to have federal charges screened in this case.
