U.S. News

Feds bust Mexican drug gang in Utah

Published: Aug. 31, 2011 at 4:30 PM

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Federal agents say they rounded up 30 people in three states in an operation against a Utah branch of Mexico's notorious Sinaloa drug cartel.

The operation culminated Tuesday with the arrest of seven individuals at a South Salt Lake restaurant who were described as "the bosses" by a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent.

"When you seize over 30 pounds of methamphetamine and close to half a million in cash and assets, that's significant, especially ... in Utah," Assistant Special Agent in Charge Frank Smith told The Salt Lake Tribune.

During the 18-month investigation, 30 arrests were made in Utah, California and Nevada, effectively putting the Utah ring "out of business," Smith said.

The ring allegedly was run out of the restaurant, and trafficked cocaine and heroin along with methamphetamine.

© 2011 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional U.S. News Stories
Top News GOP slams IRS on planned $70 million in bonuses WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Republicans are criticizing the Internal Revenue Service for plans to pay $70 million in bonuses officials say may be contractually required. Construction worker killed in Arizona bridge collapse Senate shoots down Rand Paul's immigration reform amendment Man allegedly cuts off his hands after stabbing dad Terrorism radiation plot uncovered in Albany, N.Y.	Entertainment News Johnny Depp opens up about split from Vanessa Paradis A year after the couple announced their breakup, Johnny Depp has broken his silence on his divorce from Vanessa Paradis. Selena Gomez said to have hooked up with singer Ed Sheeran Lourdes flooding: French floods kill 2, close Catholic pilgrimage site Taj Jackson wedding attended by Kris Jenner, but not Paris Jackson 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini dies in Italy at 51
Business News After 2 years, BAE 'close to sealing Typhoons deal' RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 19 (UPI) -- Britain's BAE Systems, Europe's biggest defense company, reportedly expects to wrap up a price deal with Saudi Arabia for 72 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets after two years of tortuous negotiations. Designers Dolce and Gabbana given suspended jail terms Iraq: Chevron, Total expand Kurdish drilling Markets slide on Fed news Tesla to recall Model S car over seat problem	Odd News Twins crack up with rubber band game For these twins, rubber bands and cabinets are all you need to have fun. Joe Torre's daughter catches falling baby Bakery provides 'cat' where 'cap' should have been on graduation cake Alleged Walmart shoplifter caught after firing at door, removing pants Two U.S. Navy landing craft up for auction; each seats 200, and a tank