Routine traffic stop in Kanab turns into drug bust

KANAB — A routine traffic stop here uncovered about 180 pounds of marijuana that was bound for the Salt Lake area, police said on Tuesday.

Utah Highway Patrol trooper Cameron Roden said a UHP trooper pulled over a northbound Dodge Durango last week along U.S. 89 in Kanab after the driver swerved left of center. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered the truck had no insurance.

The officer noticed the edges of several packages under a blanket in the back of the Durango as he approached the driver, Roden said. During the stop, he determined the driver had a suspended license and the passenger had three warrants for his arrest.

The trooper arrested both individuals, Roden said. During vehicle inventory, 17 packages were found under the blanket. Each was wrapped in contact paper with the weight written on each package totalling 180 pounds. Cameron said a drug-sniffing dog indicated the packages contained marijuana.

Both men were booked into Kanab County Jail for investigation of drug charges, Roden said. He said the load was bound for the Salt Lake area.

— Jens Dana