Echo, Utah — Utah Highway Patrol troopers made two significant drug discoveries along Interstate 80 late Sunday and early Monday, intercepting large quantities of illegal narcotics during separate traffic stops just a short distance and time apart.
First Stop Uncovers Meth and Cocaine Hidden in Speaker Box
At approximately 11:50 p.m. Sunday, a UHP trooper initiated a stop on a Honda Accord near Echo Reservoir due to what was described as illegal window tint.
While speaking with the driver, identified by police as Moises Valdez, the trooper reportedly detected the strong odor of marijuana, prompting a probable cause search of the vehicle.
Inside the passenger compartment, officers located marijuana and a THC vape pen. However, the most significant discovery came from the vehicle’s trunk — where a large speaker box raised suspicion due to disconnected wiring and loose screws.
A search inside the box revealed:
- Approximately 66 pounds of a white crystalline substance testing positive as methamphetamine
- Around 2 pounds of cocaine hidden in the same compartment
Valdez was arrested and booked for investigation of:
- Drug possession with intent to distribute (two counts)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Marijuana possession
- Window tint violation
The arresting affidavit notes the substantial street value of the seized narcotics and the likelihood that they were being transported for distribution across state lines.
Second Stop Leads to 100 Pounds of Marijuana and More
Roughly 2 1/2 hours later, at 2:40 a.m. Monday, another trooper initiated a separate stop in the same area of I-80 — this time on a minivan that reportedly failed to dim its high beams for oncoming traffic.
As the trooper approached the van, he observed large blankets covering a sizable object extending from the cargo area toward the front seats. In addition, he reported smelling fresh marijuana coming from the rental vehicle, as per KSL.
A subsequent search uncovered a large-scale stash, including:
- About 100 pounds of raw marijuana
- Several thousand THC vape cartridges
- Numerous THC edibles
- Multiple containers of THC wax
- A firearm, later seized as evidence
The driver, identified as Kristopher Jon Mathiowetz, 47, was arrested for investigation of:
- Possession of 100 pounds or more of marijuana
- Restricted person in possession of a firearm
- Headlight (high-beam) violation
Police say Mathiowetz was prohibited from possessing a gun due to the drug trafficking circumstances associated with the stop.
Troopers Call Busts a Major Win Against Smuggling Operations
UHP investigators believe both cases may be tied to broader drug distribution networks using major interstate corridors such as I-80, which runs directly between key hubs for illegal trafficking operations.
Authorities praised the alertness of patrol units on routine nighttime shifts, noting that both arrests began as minor traffic violations before escalating into large-scale drug seizures.
These two busts — totaling more than 160 pounds of illegal narcotics — occurred within the same highway stretch and only hours apart, marking one of the most substantial nights of interdiction recently reported in Summit County.
The investigation into both incidents remains ongoing as troopers work with federal partners to trace the source and intended destination of the seized drugs.
Do you think stricter penalties for drug traffickers could help reduce incidents like this? Share your opinion in the comments below.
