Vernal man wanted on a Federal warrant found at a local motel

Posted by Travis Uresk | June 3rd, 2023 | Warrant & Drugs |

By Travis Uresk

6/3/23

Vernal, Ut.-On 5/31/23, agent Simper was working with agent Cannon with the Uintah Basin Narcotic Strike Force when they received information of a federal warrant issued for 29-year-old Cody Joseph Alvarez involving firearms and drug-related charges.

While observing the Sage Motel at 54 West Main Street, the agents saw Cody enter a vehicle in the parking lot. The agents pulled into the parking lot, approached the vehicle's passenger side, and saw Cody sitting in the passenger seat with the door open.

Cody was detained, and a search of his person was conducted. Cody stated there would be some Percocet pills in his shirt pocket. The pills were recovered and recognized as the blue pills labeled with M/30, commonly counterfeited pills known as fentanyl. No other items were found on his person,

Another male, identified as 26-year-old Christian Chace Buckmaster, was in the driver's seat. Agent Cannon found drug-related items on Christian and later arrested him.

Cody was advised of his Miranda Rights and agreed to speak with Agent Simper. Cody described the pills and stated he suspected they contained fentanyl. Cody said he used meth that morning by smoking it.

The agents advised Cody they would like to get all the drugs out of the motel room, and he said there were some loaded meth pipes and another bag of fentanyl pills. The agent advised Cody he didn't want anyone else to take those pills and possibly overdose. Cody stated all the drug items in the room belonged to him and consented to the agents to go inside and retrieve the drugs.

The agents went inside room 225 and found a large black backpack. They found a Crown Royal bag with controlled substances and drug paraphernalia inside the backpack. A small plastic bag was found with fentanyl pills, a small plastic bag with Xanax pills, a glass pipe with marijuana, approximately 100 small plastic bags, two digital scales, and some small containers.

The only other item found was a large glass pipe with suspected meth in the nightstand drawer. Cody stated all these items belonged to him.

All of these items were seized and placed in the patrol vehicle. Central dispatch confirmed a full extradition federal warrant issued by the FBI on Cody Alvarez. Cody was transported to the Uintah County Jail, where he was booked on the charges below.