This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah and introduced as evidence at a trial shows fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone pills collected during an investigation. Photo credit: Associated Press
CEDAR CITY, Utah — It started when a Utah Highway Patrol trooper pulled over a car because the window tinting appeared to be darker than that allowed by Utah law.
But the St. George News reports that this traffic stop ended on Monday with a trooper removing pounds of fentanyl pills from possible distribution in Utah.
When the trooper pulled the car over and approached the vehicle, a probable cause statement indicates he noticed a strong smell of alcohol as well as several beer cans in the car.
As the search of the car continued, troopers found marijuana and plastic baggies that held 8.6 pounds of blue pills consistent with fentanyl.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration describes fentanyl as a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
The three people inside the car were all arrested on suspicion of drug possession with intent to distribute and are jailed in the Iron County Jail.
The St. George News reports that the driver is described as being an undocumented alien from Mexico. He has been identified as Jaciel Valdez Higuera, age 30.