PLEASANT VIEW, Weber County — A joint operation by the Weber/Morgan Narcotics Strike Force and the FBI resulted in the seizure of 19.5 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.5 pounds of an unknown drug Thursday, police said.
Carlos Jesus Inzunza Rodriguez, of West Valley City, was arrested Thursday in the parking lot of a Pleasant View gas station after police say he attempted to deliver seven pounds of methamphetamine to a buyer.
"Instead (of) making over $80,000 for the methamphetamine sale, Rodriguez was very surprised and shocked that he had been dealing with law enforcement all along," a strike force press release states.
In a Hollywood-esque twist, Rodriguez's "buyer" was one of several undercover operatives engaged in an extensive investigation of Rodriguez.
Rodriguez's alleged drug operation supplied "massive amounts of methamphetamine" to Weber County, according to police.
"During this investigation, agents were able to learn that Rodriguez reportedly obtained large amounts of methamphetamine directly from Mexican drug cartels and facilitated the transport of the drugs to Utah, where he distributed it for profit," the release states.
After arresting Rodriguez in Pleasant View, agents contacted West Valley police, who immediately searched the man's residence. There, they said they discovered 12.5 additional pounds of methamphetamine for a total seizure of 19.5 pounds.
Police also found 1.5 pounds of a drug that had not been tested as of Friday. They suspect it may be the drug "Crocodile," a heroin imitation with dangerous side effects.
"If it is (Crocodile), it will be of great concern to our agency with such a dangerous drug being available in our communities in such a large supply," police wrote in their statement.
Rodriguez was booked into the Weber County Jail for investigation of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
In total, the operation netted more than $600,000 in drugs and $4,000 in drug money, police said.
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