ARRESTS IN LAST WEEK'S BUSTS AIMED AT STOPPING DRUGS `FROM FARM TO ARM'

The greatest seizures of heroin in Utah were aimed at knocking out production of the illegal drug "from the farm to the arm," according to U.S. Attorney Brent D. Ward.

Last week, alleged heroin poppy growers from Mexico were arrested in Salt Lake City, along with other Mexicans charged with being in the dope business.Ward, accompanied by federal and state law enforcement officers from many agencies, held a press conference Tuesday afternoon on last Friday's heroin and cocaine busts. In Salt Lake City that day, nine Mexicans and U.S. citizens were arrested.

The two separate alleged conspiracies involved undercover agents and confidential sources.

A question not answered at the press conference was whether officers wanted Mexican nationals to come to the United States because they did not trust that country's government to extradite them.

In one case, federal officers claim defendant Manuel Estrada-Tapia "attempted to contact by phone California associates in order to set up a 25 kilogram cocaine transaction within the next few days." That is 55 pounds of cocaine.

Officers seized close to 10 pounds of heroin and nearly 5 pounds of cocaine and confiscated two pistols.

As part of an undercover operation that started in October, they purchased more than 1.5 pounds of heroin and half a pound of another substance that was supposed to be heroin but turned out to be 45 percent morphine instead.

More than $67,500 used in drug buys is lost to the government.

The heroin - varieties called "black tar" and "Mexican brown" - was estimated at more than 70 percent pure, with a street value of nearly $12 million. The theoretical value was calculated based on its being "cut" by dealers until it was only about 4 percent pure, to be sold in quantities as small as an eighth of a gram.

Defendants were arraigned Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Ronald N. Boyce on two separate complaints. They are:

- Santos Tapia, accused of being a broker who set up drug deals with two sets of Mexican dealers. He is charged in five counts of one complaint and four in the other. He was listed as a native of Mexico living in Salt Lake City.

Santos Tapia is charged with every count of the twin complaints, except three. The charges include conspiracy, distributing drugs, smuggling, and possessing drugs with the intention of distributing them.