Two Los Angeles women have been convicted of smuggling more than 45 pounds of cocaine in the trunk of a car that was pulled over in Parleys Canyon last spring.
A federal jury deliberated for four hours Wednesday before finding Clara J. Araujo, 46, and Mary E. Martinez, 36, guilty of possession of drugs with intent to distribute.Sentencing is set for Oct. 10 before U.S. District Judge David K. Winder. Both face prison terms of from 10 years to life in prison.
Araujo and Martinez were arrested April 4 in what was described as one of the biggest drug busts in Salt Lake County.
Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Gary Toone stopped the women's vehicle when it failed to pull into a slower lane of traffic at his command, according to records.
Suspecting the car was stolen because the driver couldn't find the registration, Toone searched the car and found the cocaine in a hidden compartment in the trunk.
Defense attorney Mary Corporon said the women had been traveling in a borrowed car and did not know they were transporting drugs.
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Lubeck said the women had maps and a note indicating they were traveling to Minnesota.
"Circumstantial evidence showed the women knew they were carrying drugs in the car," he said at the conclusion of the three-day trial.
Due to the quantity of drugs, the women face mandatory sentences of not less than 10 years in prison without parole and fines of up to $1 million.