Thread: Utah authorities bust drug operation run by illegal immigran

Utah authorities bust drug operation run by illegal immigrants

sltrib.com
By Janelle Stecklein
The Salt Lake Tribune
Published November 15, 2011 5:52 pm

Authorities along the Wasatch Front announced Tuesday afternoon they had disrupted a major multi-state drug trafficking operation allegedly run by illegal immigrants that is suspected to have ties to a Mexican drug cartel.

Lt. Phil Murphy, director of the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force, said the drug organization had been making about $10,000 to $15,000 a day and more $300,000 a month in heroin and cocaine sales.

But, Murphy said, organizers of the organization, believed to be controlled by a Mexican cartel, operated discreetly, always moving the drugs around and never dealing at their homes. Instead, he said buys were conducted at public places.

Detectives from the Major Crimes unit conducted surveillance on users from Utah County, who drove to various locations in the Salt Lake Valley to meet the heroin runners who conducted the hand-to-hand transactions, Murphy said. By targeting the runners, authorities said they were able to then identify the leadership responsible for large-scale operational decisions regarding the deliveries and bulk money shipments.

By Tuesday, authorities had enough evidence to obtain warrants, and more than 75 law enforcement officers — including those with Unified, Provo and Salt Lake City police departments, the FBI and ICE — simultaneously raided eight residences across the Salt Lake Valley. They targeted homes in Magna, West Valley City, Millcreek, Salt Lake City and North Salt Lake, according to addresses later released to the media.

Among the items seized were more than 5 pounds of heroin, valued at $120,000 to $150,000; 2.5 pounds of cocaine, valued at $30,000 to $40,000; four guns; eight vehicles; and $173,000 in cash.

They also arrested 14 people, all of whom are in the country illegally, Murphy said. Some had false documents or identifications. Some already had aggravated re-entry convictions for illegally entering the country before.

In addition to the immigration violations, numerous criminal charges associated with the distribution are pending, Murphy said. The suspects remained behind bars in Utah County.

Murphy said Utah is an ideal place for drug operations to thrive.

"Business is good," he said. "There's a lot of people in Utah addicted to heroin."

He said there are other similar organizations operating in the Salt Lake Valley and authorities would be next be focusing on those groups and individuals.

jstecklein@sltrib.com

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52924 ... h.html.csp

Isn't dealing drugs one of the sanctuary jobs the Utah governor approved???

Added to Homepage with slightly amended title:
http://www.alipac.us/article-6773--0-0.html

Originally Posted by misterbill

Isn't dealing drugs one of the sanctuary jobs the Utah governor approved???

But they're doing it to provide a better life for their kids, don't ya know.
I'm surprised they confiscated any cash there by depriving the innocent kids.

I wonder if the perps that have kids will be given home detention so as not to separate families.