Police turn up 4 pounds of meth, $24,500 in two Salt Lake County homes

SALT LAKE CITY — Police retrieved 4.17 pounds of methamphetamine and $24,500 in cash last week in the search of two Salt Lake County homes.

Officers served a warrant Thursday and searched the home of Marcos Antonio Avalos-Chavez, 31, at 5911 Mile Time Drive.

Four bags containing methamphetamine were found in a spare bedroom, and a search of the closet turned up nearly $9,500 in a gym bag. According to an affidavit filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court, Avalos-Chavez told police the money was proceeds from drugs, which he was being paid to store for another man, Rigoberto Godinez.

Officers also searched Godinez's residence, 1915 Springfield Road, and uncovered another $15,000.

Both men were charged Tuesday with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a second-degree felony, and are being held on $50,000 bail each, according to court documents.

Godinez also was charged with bribery to influence an official after police say he offered money to officers in order to "make this go away" while being transported to Salt Lake County Jail.

— McKenzie Romero Twitter: @McKenzieRomero