3 charged with trafficking drugs

3 charged with trafficking drugs

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SALT LAKE CITY — Criminal charges were filed Wednesday against three people suspected of trafficking drugs.

Luis Miguel Inzunza-Ramirez, 31, was charged in 3rd District Court with engaging in a controlled substance criminal enterprise, a first-degree felony; and engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony.

Brayan Manuel Perez-Lopez, 22, was charged with two counts of drug distribution, a second-degree felony.

Leopoldo Cortez-Rochin, 34, was charged with drug distribution, a second-degree felony.

Between September of 2016 and May of 2017, Ramirez "did participate, direct or engage in conduct undertaken with five or more other persons with whom (he) occupied a position of organizer, supervisor, or other position of management," according to charging documents.

Ramirez is accused of operating a drug distribution operation between Fontana, California, and Salt Lake and Tooele counties, distributing primarily heroin and cocaine.

"Agents of the Metro Narcotics Task Force determined shipments of multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine were transported first to southern California, and then upon (Ramirez's) direct instruction and command, delivered to various locations in Salt Lake and Tooele County," charging documents state.

Ramirez then had his associates transport money from the drug sales, "using vehicles equipped with secret storage compartments or other portable equipment which had been modified to disguise the content," the charges state.

Lopez was charged Wednesday in a separate case.


The Metro Narcotics Task Force intercepted communication talking about the delivery of “15 big ones and nine small ones” of heroin. - Charging documents

The Metro Narcotics Task Force intercepted communication talking about the delivery of “15 big ones and nine small ones” of heroin, according to charging documents. A second message was intercepted instructing someone to “give Juan 15” of heroin.

Rochin was also charged in a separate case. Police say he was stopped by the task force earlier this month near 2000 West and 500 South and found to be in possession of 2.5 kilograms of heroin.

It was not known Wednesday if the three cases are connected.

The Utah Attorney General's Office did not return calls for comment about the charges Wednesday.

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Pat Reavy

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