California Man Arrested on I-80 in Utah with Over 80 Pounds of Cannabis and Other Drugs
Summit County, Utah — A California man was apprehended on Sunday morning after a routine traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Kimball Junction led to the discovery of over 80 pounds of marijuana and various other drugs. The Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) identified the suspect as Duane Joseph Lee, 50, who is currently under investigation for multiple drug-related offenses.
Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Discovery
Lee was reportedly driving eastbound on I-80, about five miles from Kimball Junction, when a UHP trooper pulled him over for speeding. According to the police booking affidavit, Lee was clocked at 75 mph in a 65-mph zone. During the stop, the trooper detected a strong odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle, prompting further investigation.
When questioned, Lee admitted he did not have a medical marijuana card, which would have legally permitted him to possess cannabis under certain conditions. This admission led the trooper to conduct a preliminary search of Lee’s vehicle, where a duffel bag containing raw marijuana was immediately discovered.
Full Vehicle Search Uncovers Large Quantities of Drugs
Following Lee’s initial detention, UHP transported the vehicle to their Heber City office for a thorough inspection. A full search revealed multiple large duffel bags, each packed with large vacuum-sealed bags filled with raw marijuana, ultimately totaling 83 pounds. The arrest affidavit indicated that the marijuana was intended for distribution.
In addition to the marijuana, officers discovered six large vacuum-sealed bags of psilocybin mushrooms, a Schedule I controlled substance, and approximately 4,000 MDMA pills, also known as ecstasy, another Schedule I substance often associated with illegal distribution networks. Alongside these drugs, the vehicle contained around 200 THC cartridges, three dozen packages of THC-infused edibles, and several prerolled joints, one of which appeared to have burn residue, suggesting recent use.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Charges
According to the court documents, Lee holds a California driver’s license and is currently listed as homeless. Following his arrest, he was transported to the Summit County Jail, where he is being held while authorities investigate potential charges related to drug distribution.
Lee is facing three counts of possession with intent to distribute, including two second-degree felonies for the more substantial quantities of marijuana and MDMA, and a third-degree felony charge for possession of the remaining controlled substances. If convicted, these charges could result in significant prison time and fines under Utah’s drug laws, which impose strict penalties for possession and distribution of Schedule I substances like marijuana, MDMA, and psilocybin.
Utah’s Strict Stance on Drug Trafficking
This incident underscores Utah’s rigorous stance on drug trafficking and the risks associated with transporting controlled substances across state lines. Despite the increasing legalization of marijuana in states like California, Utah maintains strict laws prohibiting the possession, use, and distribution of recreational marijuana and other Schedule I drugs.
The state’s penalties for drug trafficking are particularly severe, especially for cases involving large quantities or multiple types of controlled substances. If convicted on felony charges, Lee could face substantial prison sentences, as well as significant fines intended to deter trafficking and distribution within Utah’s jurisdiction.
The Broader Context of Interstate Drug Trafficking
Incidents involving interstate transportation of marijuana and other illegal drugs are a growing concern for law enforcement, especially as states with legalized cannabis laws border those where marijuana remains illegal. Law enforcement agencies, including the UHP, have noted that traffickers often attempt to exploit legal loopholes or transport drugs across state lines, assuming there will be little risk of detection.
However, cases like this illustrate the vigilance of law enforcement in monitoring drug activity along major interstate routes. The Utah Highway Patrol has intensified its efforts to curb drug trafficking along I-80 and other key corridors, conducting regular patrols and employing drug detection measures to intercept illegal substances before they enter or transit through the state.
Duane Joseph Lee’s arrest highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in regulating and policing interstate drug trafficking, particularly as the legal landscape surrounding cannabis continues to shift. As Lee remains in custody pending further investigation, his case serves as a stark reminder of the legal risks involved in transporting controlled substances, especially in states like Utah that enforce strict drug laws.
