Traffic stop leads to large drug bust July 29

RBC — While on patrol, Deputy Clay Caldwell of the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office initiated a routine traffic stop that turned into a significant narcotics bust.
Deputy Caldwell stopped a white Jeep Cherokee for weaving July 29, 2008, at 11:48 p.m. at 36000 Highway 13 near Meeker. The vehicle was occupied by a female driver, Monthip Unaboot, 19; and two male passengers, Jay Garcia, 23, and Wayne Vigil, 20, all of Grand Junction. Deputy Caldwell cleared all three occupants through dispatch. A protection order showing Garcia as a restrained party from the driver Unaboot was discovered. Since Garcia was in violation of the protection order, he was place under arrest.
As a result of the arrest, the vehicle was searched with K-9 Rio assisting. Rio first alerted at the front passenger door of the Jeep. Upon searching the Jeep’s interior, Rio alerted on a large tan purse located on the front passenger floorboard.
Deputy Caldwell performed a search of the purse and recovered a large brick of marijuana weighing 2.2 pounds as well as a clear plastic bag containing an additional 0.43 ounces of marijuana. The vehicle search also recovered two marijuana roaches in the back seat where Vigil had been sitting. All three occupants denied knowing anything about the recovered marijuana.
All three parties were arrested and booked into the Rio Blanco County Detention Center. Garcia was charged with violation of the protection order, possession of 8 ounces or more (2.2 pounds) of marijuana — a Class 5 felony — and possession of drug paraphernalia with a bond of $3,600. Unaboot and Vigil were charged with possession of 8 ounces or more (2.2 pounds) of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia with a bond of $2,600 each. All three parties have since posted bond.