Unrestrained child, drugs discovered in Cedar City traffic stop

CEDAR CITY, Utah — When a mini-van driver exited I-15 suddenly without a signal on Thursday, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper began following the vehicle.

That hasty exit in Cedar City and later a probable cause search led to a five-pound bag of fentanyl-laced pills and two arrests.

The driver, Rachel Aponas, and her passenger Christopher Ruiz, reportedly admitted to having a meth pipe in the glove box. That’s what led to the probable cause search. The UHP said they found a locked cooler. Inside were the pills in a bag.

They also found an unrestrained child moving around in the back of the van. 

The driver and passenger were arrested and are being held in the Iron County Jail.

Jail records show that Aponas is accused, among other things, of possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. She remains in jail.

The UHP said the child is in the care of a responsible party.

Simone Seikaly contributed.

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