Police: Multiple drug raids, arrests make dent in Carbon County drug scene


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PRICE — Police in Carbon County said they believed they made a significant dent in the local drug trade after three raids Thursday netted multiple arrests and thousands of dollars in cash and illegal drugs.

Price Police Capt. Bill Barnes, commander of the Carbon Metro Drug Task Force, called the police actions a “triple play” and described the arrest of one man, 31-year-old Thomas Albert Sanchez, as a difference-maker.

“We think especially him being out of the picture for a while will have a significant impact for us,” Barnes said.

Officers, SWAT team members and agents from the DEA and ATF executed a federal arrest warrant and search warrant Thursday morning at Sanchez’ home at 390 North 100 East in Price.

“We took him by surprise,” Barnes said. “He was certainly prepared to protect himself if necessary.”

Barnes said Sanchez, who had three prior arrests and an assault conviction, had a shotgun in the home he legally was not supposed to possess.

“He is not shy about making threats, particularly toward law enforcement,” Barnes said.

Detectives also seized roughly $5,000 in cash from the residence.

Police had previously raided Sanchez’ house in January, seizing six guns, $15,000 cash and what they described as a “substantial load” of meth, heroin, marijuana, psychotropic mushrooms and anabolic steroids.

Thomas Sanchez. Photo: Carbon County Sheriff's Office
Thomas Sanchez. Photo: Carbon County Sheriff's Office

Barnes said the federal arrest warrant was related to the January case, and Sanchez could potentially face additional federal charges related to Wednesday’s seizures.

After the initial operation at Sanchez’ home, Barnes said Carbon Metro Drug Task Force members, along with help from Price and Helper officers, executed search warrants at two additional houses.

Investigators said they seized seven grams of heroin and $1,500 cash from a home at 50½ East 500 South and arrested 29-year-old Scott Joseph Strong on suspicion of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Officers said they also served a search warrant at a residence located at 129 East 100 North, seizing 13 grams of methamphetamine, eight grams of heroin, five grams of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and $250 cash.

Photo: Mike DeBernardo, KSL TV
Photo: Mike DeBernardo, KSL TV

Katherine Earline Bateman, 26, was arrested at that location on suspicion of possession with intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, police said.

Neighbor Bryson Bruno said Sanchez maintained a level of intimidation over those who knew him.

“He beat up a couple people — a couple of my friends actually — so a lot of people were pretty scared of Thomas,” he said.

Bruno said the home where Sanchez lived was widely known in the neighborhood as a suspected drug house that brought constant traffic to and from his street.

“This neighborhood doesn’t need that, nor does the city, honestly,” Bruno said. “A lot of the neighbors were very relieved that Thomas is going to be put away.”

Police said Sanchez was being held temporarily at the Carbon County Jail, but would be transferred to the U.S. marshals for his initial appearance in federal court.

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