Big meth bust in West Jordan

Drug officers from the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force and the West Jordan Police Department are reporting a significant drug bust that happened late last month.

This week, the task force announced it seized nearly 12 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $750,000 on Feb. 26. It's one of the largest single methamphetamine busts in the history of the task force, said Utah County Major Crimes Task Force Lt. Mike Forshee.

The investigation began three to four weeks ago when the agency received a tip on a place in West Jordan where meth was being distributed, Forshee said. The tip came while the task force was working on another case involving meth distribution in Utah and Salt Lake counties.

Officers learned of a drug deal on Feb. 26 and stopped a car believed to be involved in it near 6100 South and 4900 West. Inside, they found about 1.5 pounds of meth. That bust led agents to a residence near 6800 West and 7800 South where an additional 10.5 pounds of meth was seized along with $80,000 cash, Forshee said.

Forshee said the West Jordan residence was a major distribution point for meth into both Salt Lake and Utah counties. Investigators believe the meth was not produced locally but rather imported, possibly from Mexico.

"We're fairly high up on the chain here," Forshee said.

A 29-year-old West Jordan man was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of drug possession with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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