The men and women of Utah Highway Patrol recently received training to keep Basin roads safe in ways beyond driving enforcement. According to Sgt. Kellie Oaks, the troopers received further training in drug interdiction and human trafficking. “We will be doing our best to intercept drugs coming into the Basin and those who are possessing them,” shares Sgt. Oaks. “We are also taking care to ensure that individuals, particularly children, in vehicles are not victims of human trafficking.” With marijuana legal in neighboring Colorado, the burden of patrolling for the drug’s transportation through the Uintah Basin on Highway 40 is one of the most obvious reasons for increased drug interdiction. With new training under their belt, troopers will be even more prepared to catch any instances of illegal drug transportation and cases of human trafficking.
