ST. GEORGE — Two men were arrested Monday after an early morning traffic stop on Interstate 15 led to the discovery of approximately 3 pounds of methamphetamine.
Shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle on northbound I- 15 near mile marker 26, just south of the Toquerville Exit, after the driver of the car crossed over the median without signaling to pass a box truck, according to a probable cause statement filed in support of the arrests.
After initiating the traffic stop, the trooper approached the car on its passenger side, which is when he noticed “multiple pine tree-style air fresheners” placed throughout the vehicle, as well as three California-labeled THC bags lying on the floor just behind the driver’s seat.
While speaking to the driver, identified as Ogden resident 25-year-old Francia Valeria Figueroa-Franco, along with the passenger, Juan Flores-Alcazar, also of Ogden, the trooper became suspicious the pair were possibly involved in further criminal activity, the report states.
The trooper then deployed his K-9 to conduct a free-air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. After the dog indicated to the possible presence of drugs, the trooper advised the pair of the animal’s reaction. The driver reportedly said they possibly had some “leftover marijuana inside of the car,” and after being asked, added that neither he nor his passenger had a medical marijuana card.
During a search of the vehicle, troopers found a plastic bag containing three vacuum-sealed packages of a white crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine that was shoved into the back of the trunk behind the carpet. A field test conducted at the scene showed that the substance tested positive for meth.
As the search continued, troopers found a loaded Glock 45 caliber handgun with a bullet in the chamber that was sitting in a cup holder on the armrest. Another handgun was also recovered by police.
The three packages were later weighed and the combined weight came out to approximately 3 pounds.
Both men were arrested and transported to jail in Washington County facing second-degree felony possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and two third-degree felony counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person. The pair also faces possession of marijuana and paraphernalia charges, which are misdemeanors.
The trooper also requested the pair be held on a no-bail hold based on the amount of drugs found in the vehicle, as well as evidence indicating Franco was possibly involved in the trafficking of firearms and drugs in Mexico.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.