13 arrested in drug busts

Several law enforcement agencies around the valley were busy this month with a pair of recent drug busts that authorities just unveiled.

Between the two busts, which were unrelated to each other, investigators arrested 13 people and seized methamphetamine, heroin, 200 pounds of marijuana, 18 guns, about $35,000 cash and several cars.

The most recent bust was Wednesday night when search warrants were served simultaneously in Magna, South Salt Lake, Salt Lake City and West Valley.

About 200 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $80,000 was found between the four homes, all of which were part of the same operation. Three men and three women were arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of drug possession with intent to distribute, said West Valley police Capt. Tom McLachlan.

The marijuana was being shipped into Utah from out of state.

Earlier this month, an on-going investigation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Valley police and several other agencies resulted in a meth distribution ring being busted in Kearns.

McLachlan said agents were keeping surveillance on a house near 6200 West and 5800 South when a car was spotted leaving the house. Officers pulled it over and found 3/4 ounces of meth in a hidden compartment after receiving consent to search the vehicle, McLachlan said.

Officers went back to the original house later that night with a search warrant in hand. They found five more pounds of meth, and two ounces of heroin.

McLachlan said 200 pounds of marijuana and five pounds of meth is big amount.

"Both are very significant seizures," he said.

Police also seized 15 guns and $32,000 cash out of the meth house, McLachlan said. Four men and one woman were arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of drug possession with intent to distribute. They also face federal charges for restricted people in possession of firearms.

That bust led agents to two different locations in Midvale and West Valley. One man and one woman were arrested between the two locations and smaller amounts of meth were seized as well as three vehicles.

At one apartment, near 4000 West and 4100 South, the suspect barricaded himself inside, McLachlan said. A police K9 was sent in to get him and successfully brought him into compliance, McLachlan said.

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