Federal indictments for drug trafficking and weapons charges were returned against 14 individuals Monday, including one man from Utah County.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah, task forces from several counties worked together on the sting, which initially targeted mid-level dealers. However, the 16-month investigation soon netted suspects from all levels of the system.
"Almost daily our detectives hear from worried family and friends of loved ones going to Salt Lake County to get their daily dose of heroin and cocaine. Oftentimes they bring back enough to distribute to other users in Utah County to support their habit. Recently we have noticed an increase in the willingness of the dealers in Salt Lake County, such as the ones arrested in this investigation, to come to Utah County to distribute heroin and cocaine," Lieutenant Rich Ferguson of the Utah Major Crimes Task Force said in the release.
Most of the suspects were from the Salt Lake Valley, but one man from Provo was arrested. Carlos Leon-Cervantes, 29, was indicted for the use of a communication device in the commission of a felony. According to the criminal complaint against Leon-Cervantes, he communicated with others over the phone about delivering money and also sold heroin to a confidential informant. He was later arrested after a search of his residence turned up cocaine and a handgun. If convicted, Leon-Cervantes faces up to four years in prison.
Posted in Local on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 7:05 am Updated: 7:34 am.
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