Quantcast
Get news, sports and politics alerts

Click here to manage your alerts
Meth bust may be biggest in Utah’s history

First Published May 21 2012 07:43 pm • Last Updated May 22 2012 01:21 pm

Federal agents seized more than 56 pounds of methamphetamine Sunday night in what investigators believe is the largest meth bust in Utah’s history.

The drugs were found about 10 p.m. Sunday in a car in Salt Lake County as part of a yearlong investigation of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, said Sue Thomas, spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Join the Discussion
Post a Comment

At 97 to 100 percent pure — "phenomenal" quality, Thomas said — the meth had a wholesale value of $600,000 to $1 million and a street value up to $5 million. It was being shipped for sale in Salt Lake City, Thomas said.

"It really speaks to the fact that Salt Lake City is not immune to this Mexican meth epidemic that’s plaguing the country," Thomas said.

Over the year, agents have seized 127 pounds of meth and 7 pounds of heroin being trafficked by the Sinaloa cartel, Thomas said. The meth found Sunday appears to have been smuggled into the United States while packed into PVC pipe and inside the ceiling panel of a car.

Federal attorneys expected to file charges Tuesday, said Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Utah. She would not comment on how many people would be charged.




Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Top Reader Comments Read All Comments Post a Comment
Click here to read all comments   Click here to post a comment


About Reader Comments


Reader comments on sltrib.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Salt Lake Tribune. We will delete comments containing obscenities, personal attacks and inappropriate or offensive remarks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. If you see an objectionable comment, please alert us by clicking the arrow on the upper right side of the comment and selecting "Flag comment as inappropriate". If you've recently registered with Disqus or aren't seeing your comments immediately, you may need to verify your email address. To do so, visit disqus.com/account.
See more about comments here.
Staying Connected
Videos
Jobs
Shopping
Contests and Promotions