By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News | Photos courtesy of the Price City Police Department
A Carbon County man was brought into custody in the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 8, after a search warrant service allegedly led to the discovery of various drug paraphernalia, firearms and “a substance which shape, color, and composition were consistent to that of the explosive, C-4.”
The man, who is identified in an affidavit as Erich C. Wright, age 56, was booked into Carbon County Jail for investigation into a variety of charges, including: four counts of drug possession with intent to distribute, being a restricted person in possession of a gun, possessing explosive or incendiary material and having drug paraphernalia.
“Discovered during the search warrant was methamphetamine, heroin, prescription pills, and psilocybin mushrooms. Several firearms were also seized along with brass knuckles and inert hand grenades,” reads a release from the Price City Police Department. “Additionally, officers discovered a substance which shape, color, and composition were consistent to that of the explosive, C-4. Along with the substance officers discovered items which could be used as blasting caps and electrical switches”
Due to the potential explosives, the Utah County Bomb Squad, along with an FBI representative, responded to Price to investigate the substance. Reads the release,” Further inspection concluded the substance was not an explosive but appeared to have been made to look like C-4.”
According to the affidavit, Wright allegedly admitted to selling drugs to support his own addiction after being taken into custody.
Also in the affidavit, the arresting deputy cited a previous criminal history with Wright,” Erich has a violent criminal history, (including) drug distribution charges and weapons charges. Along with the possible explosives found, I consider him a very high safety risk if released from jail.”
The investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.