This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Rhode Island State Police arrested three men earlier this week, including a South Ogden man, in what is believed to be the largest drug bust in state history.
The seizure of drugs and cash — including 66 kilograms of cocaine and $1.2 million in cash — was worth nearly $8 million, according to the Rhode Island State Police.
Police arrested Adilson Antonio Reyes, 29, of South Ogden, and two other men from California.
South Ogden police did not immediately know of Reyes' criminal history in Utah, and a Utah state court database search shows no record for Reyes under that name.
"I am not aware of South Ogden dealings with him," South Ogden Sgt. Dave Labbe said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Rhode Island Task Force and other agencies were involved in the investigation and arrests.
In September 2010, a Rhode Island detective working with the DEA Task Force acquired information about the transportation of large shipments of drugs moving from the West Coast to the East Coast.
Investigators discovered Reyes was a registered hotel guest in Rhode Island during June, August and September 2010 and that he owned a 2000 Peterbilt tractor trailer truck registered in Utah. However, Reyes was never seen operating the vehicle, according to police.
Police allegedly found the three men transporting the drugs from the trailer into a warehouse.
The warehouse drew suspicion in that it "did not appear to be used for any legitimate business operation, that the facility was seldom used, and in fact had been occupied only three times since November 2010," the release said.
On Jan. 29, the two California men were arrested at the warehouse, and Reyes was arrested at a nearby hotel.
The men were arraigned at the Washington County Courthouse for possession of cocaine in excess of one kilogram, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, conspiracy to possess cocaine in excess of one kilogram, and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to deliver. They are being held without bail.