Washington County, UT – A routine traffic stop on Interstate 15 escalated into one of the largest fentanyl seizures in Washington County this year, deputies reported, after 22 pounds of the drug were found hidden inside a truck’s spare tire.
Traffic Stop Leads to Major Drug Discovery
The incident occurred just after 9 p.m. on September 7, when deputies stopped a pickup truck for an unsafe lane-change violation that had forced another vehicle off course.
Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Lucas Alfred said,
“What began as a simple traffic violation turned into a significant seizure. Our K-9 alerted, and a search revealed several packages of fentanyl hidden inside the spare tire.”
Deputies discovered nine rectangular bundles wrapped in multiple layers of black tape. A preliminary field test indicated the substance was fentanyl, totaling 22 pounds — far more than for personal use, consistent with distribution-level quantities.
Arrests and Charges
The driver, Eugenio Torres-Pachuca, 59, identified with a Mexican ID, was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on felony charges including:
- Trafficking fentanyl
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Possessing contraband in a correctional facility
During booking, jail staff found a crystal substance in his wallet, which tested positive for methamphetamine.
The passenger, Eddie Alfredo Cottom-Medina, 46, was also booked on felony charges including:
- Trafficking fentanyl
- Tampering with evidence
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Court documents stated Cottom-Medina attempted to destroy a meth pipe while in the patrol vehicle, leaving behind fragments discovered by deputies. A broken tube identified as a meth pipe was also found in the door panel.
Law Enforcement Concerns
Deputies requested both men be held without bail, citing them as flight risks and a danger to society.
Sgt. Alfred noted that it remains unclear whether the case will be referred to federal authorities, saying,
“Because of the amount of fentanyl involved, these types of cases are often referred to federal agencies. That decision hasn’t been made yet.”
Community Impact and Safety
Washington County officials emphasized the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking. Residents are reminded to report suspicious activity along major highways and within local communities.
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