Joint operations net drugs worth more than $500,000

OGDEN — A joint narcotics unit seized almost 100 pounds of drugs worth more than $500,000 during several anti-drug operations last month.

The Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force announced Thursday that it conducted five operations on May 22 and 23 that led to the arrests of 10 people for investigation of various drug charges.

The operations were conducted all over northern Utah as police nabbed suspects in areas stretching from Ogden to West Valley City, according to a strike force statement.

Through several traffic stops, as well as the search of a home, officers seized many kinds of drugs, including 95 pounds of marijuana, 4 ounces of methamphetamine and about 4 pounds of heroin. The heroin alone was valued at more than $365,000, according to the statement.

In addition to the drug busts, officers seized seven rifles and a large box of ammunition from a convicted felon, who was arrested for investigation of being a felon in possession of firearms.

Officials said the raids highlighted the fact that the Salt Lake area is "the main source" for most of the illegal drugs flowing into the Weber County area.

According to the statement, 80 percent of the drugs seized by the strike force in the last year were taken from illegal immigrants.

— Josh Smith