Illegal turn leads to discovery of 237 pounds of marijuana, UHP says

LAKEPOINT, Tooele County — An improper turn and illegally tinted windows led to a large drug bust in Tooele County on Monday.

A Utah Highway Patrol trooper pulled over a van with a Virginia license plate after the driver made an improper left turn onto state Route 36 from the I-80 off-ramp, according to a police booking affidavit. The officer also noted the van's window had a darker tint than allowed by law, the affidavit states.

"During the stop, marijuana was smelled coming from the interior of the vehicle, " the arresting trooper wrote.

The vehicle was searched and the trooper reported finding several duffle bags and cardboard boxes.

"Inside of them was a total of 237 pounds of … marijuana packaged in approximately 1-pound vacuum sealed packages, 4,129 THC vape pens/cartridges and 44.9 ounces of THC concentrated wax," the affidavit states.

Clay Christian Friedrich, 35, was arrested for investigation of having 100 pounds or more of marijuana, two counts of drug possession with intent to distribute, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two traffic infractions.

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