CEDAR CITY — An 18-year old man accused of dealing in THC vape cartridges and other drugs was arrested following a traffic stop on Lund Highway near Cedar City.
Peyton Dee Canepa-Stills was booked into Iron County Jail at approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, about two hours after an Iron County Sheriff’s deputy had pulled him over for speeding.
“I verified on my radar the vehicle was traveling 92 mph in the 50 mph zone,” the investigating deputy wrote in the probable cause statement filed in support of the arrest. The statement also alleges that the driver did not have a valid driver license.
Following a positive indication by a K-9 officer, a search of the vehicle was performed. Officers reportedly discovered approximately 20 THC vape pens hidden under the floorboards. Three firearms were also located, according to the affidavit: two 9mm pistols and a gun described as an AK-47 style rifle with a loaded magazine.
“A juvenile passenger was in possession of a large quantity of cash which is also consistent with distribution of the controlled substance,” the investigating deputy wrote.
According to the affidavit, Canepa-Stills and the juvenile suspect were on their way back from St. George and were within one-half mile of a relative’s home when their vehicle, identified as a Dodge pickup truck, was pulled over.
Agents with the Iron/Garfield/Beaver Narcotics Task Force were then notified about the case, as they had reportedly been investigating Canepa-Stills for the past several months for alleged distribution of controlled substances and weapon offenses, including an armed robbery.
After obtaining a search warrant, task force agents then searched the relative’s home where Canepa-Stills had been staying and reportedly found additional vape pens and THC cartridges.
Investigators also obtained a warrant to search Canepa-Stills’ cell phone, where they allegedly found evidence of illegal transactions.
“Agents were able to find evidence Peyton has been selling drugs in Cedar City for a long while,” a task force agent wrote in the affidavit.
Canepa-Stills is currently being held without bail in Iron County Jail on suspicion of several charges, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, both third-degree felonies; three counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, each also a third-degree felony; three class B misdemeanor counts of drug possession; a class C misdemeanor count of driving on a denied license; and a speeding infraction.
Canepa-Stills’ next scheduled court appearance is a waiver/detention hearing on Monday before 5th District Judge Matthew L. Bell.
This report is based on statements from court documents and law enforcement officials 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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