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SALT LAKE CITY — A drug distribution investigation conducted on several warehouses in the area of California Avenue and Fortune Road has resulted in criminal charges against a Salt Lake man.
Richard Tyler Coates, 43, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with marijuana possession greater than 100 pounds, a second-degree felony; drug possession, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor.
Between January and July 1, the State Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation into at least four warehouse units owned and operated by Coates.
"Agents conducting surveillance on the units observed Coates entering the units on multiple occasions with different individuals," according to charging documents.
On one occasion in June, agents watched a man enter a warehouse with Coates and then exit holding a suitcase and black garbage bag. Police pulled the man over after he left the area and found 17 pounds of marijuana and 50 THC cartridges, according to the charges.
Agents later returned to the warehouses with a search warrant and found "165 pounds of raw marijuana, 7 pounds of marijuana concentrate, also known as wax, (and) 474 THC vapor cartridges" in one unit, as well as small amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana in other units, the charges state.
Police later served a search warrant at Coates' home and recovered more marijuana products and cellphones.










