Ecstasy-dealing ring is broken up, federal agents say

Federal agents announced Wednesday the breakup of a major ecstasy-dealing ring that had dealt over 100,000 tablets with an estimated street value of $2 million.

An eight-month investigation by federal and local law enforcement agencies in Davis and Salt Lake counties has resulted in the indictment of six men, including one federal prosecutors call the "king pin" of the operation.

On Tuesday, federal agents arrested 31-year-old Long Bao Ngo during a traffic stop. A search of Ngo's Murray home yielded a package of some 6,000 MDMA pills, better known as the club drug ecstasy. Agents reported also finding cash, three hand guns and an assault rifle.

DEA agents believe Ngo was the head of the operation, which had been running for six years.

According to agents, ecstasy continues to be pushed to minors and young adults, particularly those who frequent rave parties. There are also indications that some of the ecstasy was being sold in local high schools, but agents continue to investigate.

"I believe the primary targets of these alleged drug dealers were teenagers and young adults in Utah who may not understand the serious potential health consequences of its use," said U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman.

Also charged are Adam Dion Corder, 25, of Salt Lake City; Lucas Osden Fullmer, 22, of Taylorsville; Christopher Mello, 24, of West Valley City; Mack Henry Evans, 23, of Salt Lake City; and Andrew Valadez, 22, of Henderson, Nev.

DEA special agent-in-charge Michael Root of Salt Lake City said that the ecstasy likely came from sources in California. Typically, the majority of ecstasy that comes into the United States is smuggled from Europe, in particular Belgium, and is then brought into western United States through Canada, Root said.

Tolman credits the cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies for breaking the case. The case began when someone left behind a bag of ecstasy tablets at a Sandy restaurant. The restaurant's manager contacted police, and a savvy Sandy police officer managed to find the source of the drugs, Tolman said. Over the following months undercover agents managed to make decoy drug sales, and eventually street-level contacts led agents to Ngo.

A search of court records shows Ngo was sentenced to 90 days in jail for two counts of drug dealing in state court in 1994. Ngo has also faced charges of aggravated assault, attempted murder and use of a dangerous weapon in state court.

E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com