Drug investigation into mother-son team now focusing on supplier

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Police here believe a mother and son that investigators suspect were selling prescription drugs out of their house may have been getting their stash from a local doctor or physician.

The mother, 48, and her 19-year-old son were taken to police headquarters for questioning Oct. 10 after detectives served a search warrant on their house near 7100 South and 2400 East, but as of Wednesday they had not been arrested.

Now, Cottonwood Heights police officer Beau Babka said his department was working in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Utah Attorney General's Office and the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office to trace the pills back to the supplier. Although they weren't ready to release any details Wednesday, Babka said he felt investigators had good leads as to who was illegally handing out the prescription pain meds.

Investigators seized hundreds of Oxycontin and oxycodone pills in addition to a large amount of cash late last week after serving a search warrant at the mother and son's house, Babka said. Investigators believe the two were making their drug transactions from the house. Most of their clients were between the ages of 15 and 21.

Investigators had identified at least two dozen juveniles who claimed to have bought drugs at the house, Babka said. Police were alerted to the house from concerned neighbors who noticed a large amount of short-term traffic in front of the house. Undercover officers were also able to make drug buys at the house once they became aware of the situation, he said.

---

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com