CEDAR CITY — Two men suspected of trafficking marijuana and other drugs were arrested during a traffic stop north of Cedar City on Monday.
Brandy Michael Elmore, 35, and Tucker Ryan Madden, 26, were booked into Iron County Jail on Monday afternoon on suspicion of multiple drug charges.
According to the probable cause affidavits filed in support of their arrests, a black sedan occupied by the two men was pulled over on northbound Interstate 15 by a Utah Highway Patrol trooper who had noticed as the vehicle passed him that it appeared to have window tinting darker than legally allowed.
After the driver pulled over near mile marker 69, the trooper approached the front passenger side of the car and introduced himself to the occupants and explained the reason for the stop, according to the statement.
“I noticed there were approximately eight to ten black pine tree style air fresheners hanging from the rearview mirror,” the arresting trooper wrote, adding that he measured the tint on the front passenger side window at 18% light allowance, which is approximately twice as dark as the 35% legal limit in Utah.
“During the course of my traffic stop, I became suspicious of further criminal activity,” the trooper wrote, adding that he then requested the assistance of another trooper’s K-9 service dog, who gave a positive indication on detecting the odor of controlled substances inside the car.
A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded the following, according to the affidavit:
- A total of 34 1-pound packages of bud marijuana, along with some THC wax and other products.
- One ball of suspected hashish weighing approximately 10 grams.
- Assorted other drugs, including Trazadone pills, LSD tabs and Adderall pills.
- Various items of drug paraphernalia, including syringes, a digital scale, and a rolling tray that reportedly tested positive for cocaine residue. Additionally, a metal snort tube with white powder inside also was found in Madden’s pocket, according to the charging documents.
- Other suspected controlled substances, including a clear liquid and some yellowish powder, that were sent to a lab for testing.
Elmore, who was driving, faces one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a third-degree felony; three misdemeanor charges related to possession of drugs and paraphernalia; and a window tint violation, an infraction.
Meanwhile, Madden faces four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, along with four misdemeanor drug possession charges.
As of Wednesday, Elmore and Tucker remain held in jail without bail as they await their initial court appearances. Both men are described as being residents of Indiana with no known ties to Utah. Both also have prior drug charges and failures to appear in their respective criminal histories, according to the charging documents.
This report is based on information provided by law enforcement and court documents 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.
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