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Meth, Heroin Trafficking Ring Busted in Utah
Four individuals are charged with trafficking drugs in Utah after a joint investigation by the DEA, the Davis Metro Narcotics Task Force, and the West Valley City Police Department. The drugs were transported from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City for distribution.
The defendants, Fausto Alejandro Galaviz-Gaxiola, 21, Fernando Galaviz-Castro, 22, Jesus Pina-Cantua, 22, and Efrain Espinoza, age unknown, are citizens of Mexico living in West Valley City. The charges include conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to distribute heroin; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; and distribution of methamphetamine.
According to a complaint filed in the case, the DEA and the Davis County task force initiated a joint investigation targeting the drug trafficking activities of Galaviz-Gaxiola, Galaviz-Castro, and Espinoza in October 2015. As a part of the investigation, task force officers made several undercover purchases of methamphetamine and heroin from the defendants.
A search warrant was executed on February 18, 2016, at a residence in West Valley City shared by Galaviz-Gaxiola, Galaviz-Castro, and Pina-Cantua. Agents also executed a search warrant on a vehicle used by the defendants. They recovered approximately 4.8 kilograms of heroin (street value of about $480,000), 2.1 kilograms of methamphetamine (street value of $126,000), and $103,764 at the home. About 615 grams of cocaine (street value of $61,500) was recovered during the search of the car.
Agents also executed a search warrant on Espinoza’s residence in West Valley City and on a car he used. According to the complaint, agents located $8,000 in a sophisticated, electronically-operated compartment hidden on the front passenger side of his car.
The defendants, who were initially charged by complaint, had initial appearances in court following their arrests. They were arraigned on the indictment Thursday afternoon and entered pleas of not guilty to the charges. They will be in custody pending trial.
Indictments are not findings of guilt. Individuals charged in indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.
Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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