FBI agents in Utah, California, Colorado and Missouri shut down -- at least temporarily -- the operations of a large Mexican drug cartel Thursday, arresting 37 adults and one juvenile on state and federal drug distribution charges.
The arrests culminate an 18-month investigation of La Familia Michoacan, a Mexico-based drug cartel that is known to export large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine to Southern California and Utah. From Utah, the drugs were being distributed to Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, where a sort of franchise distribution point has been established, Salt Lake's acting FBI Special Agent-in-Charge James F. Jarboe said. All of the people involved in the cartel are relatives, he said.During the course of the investigation, agents and officers who make up the Federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, confiscated more than $750,000 in drugs, including 35 pounds of meth, 9 pounds of cocaine and 65 pounds of marijuana. The task force is made up of FBI agents, Salt Lake City police officers, and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
"We have disrupted and dismantled this organization," Jarboe said.
La Familia Michoacan was running a "very sophisticated" operation in Salt Lake City, which was evidenced by the establishment of a Colorado franchise. But Thursday's arrests will put a significant dent in the organization's ability to distribute illegal drugs for some time, agents said.
"We got the highest level of people we can in the U.S.," agent Bob Evans said.
The investigation grew out of information generated by undercover agents working in Salt Lake City's federally funded Weed and Seed program that was focused on cleaning up drug trafficking in west-side neighborhoods.
Twenty-three of those arrested were living in Utah, all but two in Salt Lake County, Jarboe said. Six were arrested in Kansas City, six in Los Angeles, one in Denver and one in Wendover Friday morning.
Twenty-seven people are charged in federal court for alleged distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy charges, and 22 have been charged in Utah's 3rd District Court on first- and second-degree felony drug distribution charges. Two people who are not yet in custody will face both federal and state charges, Salt Lake Assistant District Attorney Clark Harms said.
Those arrested on federal charges made initial appearances in federal court on Thursday and Friday. Those charged with state crimes are scheduled for first appearances next week, Harms said.
U.S. Attorney Paul Warner praised the efforts of the task force and said the arrests show that law enforcement is addressing Utah's problems not only with methamphetamine, but also with so-called "criminal aliens." The majority of those arrested Thursday are Mexican nationals.