Three illegal immigrants arrested on drug charges

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 5:12 pm

Three men who admitted being illegal immigrants were arrested Tuesday after police allegedly found them in possession of more than a pound of methamphetamine.

According to a police affidavit, an officer watched a Toyota Tundra pickup truck swerve in its lane from one line to the other. When the vehicle crossed into the bicycle lane, the officer pulled the truck over, according to the affidavit.

The driver of the truck, Venustiano Acosta-Acosta, reportedly did not have a Utah license, but provided a Mexican driver’s license. He allegedly told police he did not know his address. His two passengers, Sierra Bartolo and Ramon Lopez, also allegedly did not have United States identifications and admitted being in the country illegally.

The three allegedly seemed nervous and gave conflicting stories about where they were going. Bartolo told officers he bought the truck two months ago and did not register it in his name, according to the affidavit. Officers reportedly asked him if there was anything illegal in the truck, and he said there was not and officers could search it. Acosta also reportedly said there was nothing illegal in the truck and told officers they could search it, though he was told he did not have to allow police to search the truck.

An officer searched the truck and used a dog to search the truck, after which the dog alerted on the vehicle, according to the affidavit. Police reportedly found a hidden compartment under the center console, containing 19 ounces of methamphetamine, a scale, multiple personal identifications and more than $6,000 in cash. The drugs reportedly have a street value of about $30,000.

Bartolo admitted building the compartment and told officers he sells drugs as a second job, according to the affidavit. Due to the sophisticated method of hiding the drugs and money, police say the three may be involved in a major drug distribution ring.

The three were booked with $20,000 cash bail each on charges including possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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