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ALMOST 1/2 MILLION WORTH OF POT • Sgt. Paul Mangelson and Trooper Greg Kelsey show the almost $460,000 of pot found in spare tire on truck stopped on I-15 south of Nephi. 102 pounds of marijuana was found inside of the tire. The driver is being held in the Juab County Jail on the charge.

On May 31, 2000, Sgt. Paul Mangelson of the UHP stopped a north-bound vehicle on I-15 south of Nephi for dark tinted windows. The driver was Louie Manuel Trujillo, age 20, of Phoenix, Arizona.

Sgt. Mangelson became suspicious of smuggling activity because of a large spare tire that did not match the size of the other tires on the truck. Upon releasing some air from the spare tire, the odor of coffee was obvious. Coffee is often used as a masking agent to hide illegal drugs concealed in vehicles. Also, the tire was extremely heavy.

The driver was detained while the tire was broken down and 102 pounds of compacted marijuana was found in the tire.

The driver stated that he was on his way to Salt Lake City and did not know the marijuana was there. Bail was set at $50,000 by Judge Williams. He will remain in the Juab County Jail until he makes bail or until his Court date.

The street value of that amount of marijuana&emdash;if broken down into 1/8-ounce baggies&emdash;would be approximately $460,000.

Sgt. Mangelson was assisted by Trooper Greg Kelsey.