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CEDAR CITY — A traffic stop near Cedar City on Sunday resulted in Utah Highway Patrol troopers finding 14 pounds of methamphetamine with an approximate street value of $325,000.
Cristian Gonzalez, 33, and Velvet Daisy Britson, 29, were both arrested for investigation of drug possession with intent to distribute.
On Sunday, just before 5 p.m., the couple's Toyota RAV4 with a California license plate was pulled over on I-15 near Cedar City for failing to yield to faster drivers in the left lane, according to a police booking affidavit.
When a trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over, it continued down the road for about a quarter-mile before pulling onto the shoulder, the affidavit states. Britson, the driver, told the trooper she did not have a valid license.
During the stop, a police K-9 was brought to conduct an open-air sniff around the vehicle. The dog indicated the possible presence of drugs, leading to a search of the vehicle.
"During a search of the vehicle, approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine was located. Most of it was concealed in the back of the driver and front passenger's seat. One pound of methamphetamine was located at the feet of the passenger. The driver and passenger were both placed under arrest for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute," according to the affidavit. "The amount of methamphetamine if sold in Cedar City at the current charges would be worth approximately $325,000."
Police say both Gonzalez and Britson have been convicted multiple times in other states of drug possession with intent to distribute.
